Paulette Eleanor Smith Hodge, our mom, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, was born on April 22, 1939, to Sarah Grace Rawlins and Hezekiah Ezekiel Smith in Frederiksted, St. Croix. She departed this life on July 6, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Alfred, Herbert, Harry, Muriel, Elisa, Helen, Harriet, Alice, Annette, and Louella, as well as her eldest son Stanley.
She is survived by brother Shadrach, sisters Alfreda, Beverly, and Marjorie; sister-in-law, Carol, and brothers-in-law, Alphonse and Dr. Sidney.
Her surviving children are Ahleen, Grace, Robert, Walter, Leslie, and Trese; daughter-in-law, Dr. Anne; and son-in-law, James. Her special daughters are Annette, Carolyn, Janice, Judith, and Patricia; special sons, Dean and Troy. Her grandchildren are dear and numerous, to include Dorna, Jamal, Joshua, Juna, Amina, Aeisha, Elijah, Jared, Shai, Simone, Shaneeka, Keisha, Shane, Sharif, Semaj, Arthresia, and Arthur. Paulette has many great-grandchildren, to include Jordan, Carter, Joziah, Janice, Jenesa, Silas, Saire, and Aldo. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Dorine, Patricia, Karla, Phyllis, James, Shadrach Jr., Howard, Kerisha, Charlene, Kim, Ores, Erin, Shawna, and Karole.
Her cousins are in abundance, to include Patrice, Lummus, Dr. Donna, and Dr. Aracelis. Her dear friend, Ms. Josephine, is also remembered.
Paulette was cared for with tender and loving care during the last few years by her devoted caregiver, Mrs. CherryAnn; she too, has become a cherished surviving family member.
Those of us who knew her best will miss her most; but we will always remember the words of Kahlil Gibran as we reflect on our Paulette:
“…What is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered…”
Rest easy, Paulette. Rest easy.
Paulette’s Homegoing Celebration will be on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Frederiksted, St. Croix. Viewing at 9:00 am with service beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Frederiksted Cemetery.
