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 her 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, Judit and Patricia; special sons: Dean and Troy. Her grandchildren are dear and numerous and include Dorna, Jamal, Joshua, Juna, Amina, Aeisha, Elijah, Jared, Shai, Simone, Shaneeka, Keisha, Shane, Sharif, Semaj, Arthresia, and Arthur. Paulette has many great-grandchildren, including 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 and 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 Paulette 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 held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 18, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Frederiksted, St. Croix.
