Doris Moore Hodges

Doris Moore Hodges, 94, passed away on Wednesday, September 23 2026, at the Hock Family Pavillion in Durham, N.C.

Born Doris Louise Moore on March 7, 1932, in Kinston, N.C., she was the daughter of Jake Durwood Moore and Doris May Grady, and the eldest of four sisters.

She attended school in Kinston, graduating from Grainger High School in 1950. That same year she entered Watts School of Nursing in Durham, N.C., graduating in 1953 with a nursing degree and receiving her R.N. license in 1954. Following graduation she worked for Parrot Memorial Hospital in Kinston, and later (1955-56) as a nurse at Watts Hospital. In 1956, she left nursing to care for her growing family. She was active and supported her children in their schooling, scouting and many other extracurricular activities.

Doris married Samuel Carter Hodges, Jr., in 1954. Following his service in the US Army, they took up residence in Durham, where Sam practiced architecture and they together raised a family that included four daughters and one son: Doris, Kathy, Susan, Virginia and Sam III.

Doris and Sam were active United Methodists, having met when they were members of Trinity UMC in Durham. In 1959 they became founding members of Glendale Heights Methodist Church, where both were deeply involved for years—Sam until his death in 2015 at age 84, and Doris continuing until the church’s closure in 2025. In the wider community she was active in Urban Ministries and Durham Congregations In Action, and served on interfaith hospitality boards.

Doris’s many interests included garden club, the YWCA, playing bridge and making ceramics. She was a dedicated member of Daughters of the American Revolution, and took an interest in tracing her family tree as well as playing an active role in family reunions.

During their later years together, Doris and Sam enjoyed extensive travel, visiting 24 European countries as well as Canada, Mexico and the western U.S.

Above all, Doris loved spending time with her family and seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made a point to be there for graduations, weddings, performances and other important events in their lives. The family Christmas party was a major touchstone each year.

She is survived by three sisters, Sara Elizabeth Moore of Kinston, NC, and Margaret Ann Wilder and Lefettie Esther James (Lawrence), both of Greensboro, NC; four daughters, Doris Hodges Connell (Willis) of Staunton, VA, Kathryn Gwynne Hodges (Stephen Smith) of Chapel Hill, NC, Susan Hodges Parham (Kenneth) of Durham, NC, and Virginia Hodges Weidenfeld (Jason) of Silver Spring, MD; a son, Samuel Carter Hodges III (Nancy Betler) of Charlotte, NC; nine grandchildren, Carolyn Dell Connell (Ashley Huezo) of Greensboro, NC, Elizabeth Lee Barron (Duane) of Staunton, VA, Brian Christopher Parham of Durham, NC, Andrew Thomas Parham (Natalie Ziskin) of Jersey City, NJ, Kevin James Parham of Mobile, AL, Carter Susanna Hodges Smith (Baptiste Lefebvre) of Portland, OR, Nicholas Alexander Weidenfeld of Meunster, Germany, and Borie Robert Betler-Hodges and Estelle Nancy Ann Betler-Hodges of Charlotte, NC; and three great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the medical staff at Durham Regional Hospital and the Hock Family Pavillion for their care and support in her final days.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Watts College of Nursing in support of nursing scholarships. Please send any donations to Watts Nursing Alumni Association, Inc., 3643 N Roxboro ST # 17, Durham, NC 27704

A graveside service will be held at noon on Tuesday, September 29 at Maplewood Cemeter, 1621 Duke University Road, Durham NC. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., October 18 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Road, Durham NC.

The Hodges Family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham, North Carolina; online condolences may be made at www.hallwynne.com/obituaries