UNION, SC — Mr. Charles Gilliam “Charlie” Hodge, Sr., 81, husband of Doris O'Shields Hodge, 207 Lakeside Dr., Union, SC, passed away Monday, June 7, 2010, at Regional Hospice Home of Spartanburg.

Mr. Hodge was born in Union, Sept. 7, 1928 a son of the late Clarence and Sarah Lawson Hodge. He was a graduate of Union High School and was an avid baseball player participating in the Union Textile League. He was contacted during that time by the Brooklyn Dodgers on three different occasions to join their team. Mr. Hodge was retired from Belk's Department Store after 21 years.

An active member of First Baptist Church, he was a member of the Sam Cain Sunday School Class and was a former Deacon having been presented the Lifetime Deacon Award for Faithful service. He was a former member of the S.C. State Guard and retired as a Sgt. Major from the S.C. National Guard after 41 years and seven months of service. A volunteer for Union County Meals on Wheels, Mr. Hodge also served as a member of the Board for the Dept. of Social Services, the YMCA and had faithfully served the citizens of Union as a Council Member from 1970 until 1982. He was a lifetime member of the Hejaz Shrine Temple and a life time member of the Masonic Lodge # 375.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 54 years are a daughter, Penny Adamo and husband Tom of Union; a son, Charles “Chuck” Hodge and wife Cindy of Spartanburg; six grandchildren, Tyler, Kacie and Kayla Hodge, Christian Taylor, Andrew and Adelaide Adamo; one great-grandson, Trevor Hodge.

Mr. Hodge was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010, at the First Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Robert Emory and Rev. Spencer Ledford. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Tyler Hodge, Christian Taylor Adamo, Andrew Adamo, H.A. “Buck” Vinson, Eddie Harris, Colby Hawkins and Don Fowler.

The following are asked to assemble at the church by 1:45 p.m. Thursday to form the honorary escort: members of the Sam Cain Sunday School Class, present and former Deacons and Mr. W.C. Bennett.

Visitation will be held from 12:30-2 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of First Baptist Church prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 405 E. Main St., Union, SC, 29379 or to Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Dr., Spartanburg, SC, 29303.

The family is at the home, 207 Lakeside Dr., Union, SC.

The S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc. (www.holcombefuneralhomes.com)