VERNON E. HODGE

CAIRO, Ill. -- Vernon Edward Hodge Jr., 44, of Cairo, was pronounced dead on arrival Tuesday, March 24, 1994, at Union County Hospital in Anna.

He was born Jan. 18, 1950, in Cairo, son of Vernon Edward and Mildred Rush Hodge.

Hodge was a 1968 graduate of Cairo High School, and was a former corrections officer with State of Illinois.

Survivors include five sons, David Gude of Maywood, Lamont Smith of East St. Louis, DeShawn Young of Mounds, Carlos and Vernon Trenton of Cairo; his mother and stepfather, Mildred and William Davis of Cairo; three brothers, Longene Childs of Decatur, Jesse Hodge and Judson Childs of Cairo; four sisters, Barbara Holder of Decatur, Vicki Hodge of Chicago, Linda Baldwin and Maria Purchase of Cairo, and five grandchildren.

Friends may call at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church after 11 a.m. Saturday.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. The Rev. Anthony Reeves will officiate, with burial in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge.

Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.