Millard “Coy” McCoy Hodge, age 73, of Taylorsville passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Carolina Caring. He was born on September 24, 1947 in Wilkes County, the son of the late Willard Arnold and Myrtle Summerlin Hodge. Before retirement he worked at Century Furniture and was a member of Poovey’s Grove Baptist Church in Granite Falls. Coy loved to work on lawn mowers and was known as “the lawn mower man.” He was a jack of all trades and loved helping people. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 42 years Joyce B. Hodge; son Lawrence Stephen Kelsoe; grandson Sam Kelsoe; brothers John & Maynard Hodge; and sister Ardna Church.
Those left to cherish his memory include his sons Micheal Hodge of Hickory, Hollis Kelsoe (Joyce) and Bertis Kelsoe (Beth) both of Taylorsville; and George Kelsoe (Cindy) of Bethlehem; daughters Martha Rogers (Will) of Taylorsville, Mary Coleman (Mark) of Mt. Ulla, Karen Price (Rick) of Hickory, and Sandy Fox (David) of Granite Falls; brother James “Archie” Hodge; sister Classie Whisnant; twenty-three grandchildren; and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Alexander Funeral Service. A memorial service to celebrate Coy’s life will follow at 6:00 pm in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Rick Crouse and Rev. Myron Davis officiating. Inurnment will be with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Carolina Caring at 3975 Robinson Rd; Newton, NC 28658.