Mary Ellen DeLana Hodges, 79, of El Reno, OK died December 24, 2003 at Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City. Mary Ellen was born on October 31, 1924 in Montgomery, Alabama to her parents, Dr. H.V. and Edith Cecil (Rennie) Carson. Her father was a Presbyterian minister and the family lived in several cities including Charlotte, North Carolina and Montgomery, Alabama during her childhood. Mary Ellen was a graduate of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery. She attended the University of Alabama as a Music Major and was an accomplished pianist. Mary Ellen served as pianist in many of the churches her father pastored; she also played piano for her mother's choruses and served as organist and pianist for Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in El Reno for a number of years. She was a member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church, the Athenaeum Club and the Damrosch Music Club. Mary Ellen served on the Boards of El Reno Carnegie Library, the Oklahoma City Symphony and the Oklahoma Arts Institute. She married David DeLana on November 13, 1943 in Raleigh, North Carolina and he preceded her in death on March 22, 1979. She was married to her 2nd husband, James H. Hodges on April 25, 1986 in El Reno. Mary Ellen was also preceded in death by her parents and sister, Edith Cecil "Curly" Morgan. She is survived by her husband, James H. Hodges of the home; 1 son; 1 daughter, 1 stepson, 1 stepdaughter, 1 brother, 6 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday December 29th, in the First Presbyterian Church in El Reno. Dr. Mark Heaney and Rev. L.H. Saltzgiver will officiate. Burial will be in El Reno Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home 405-262-3311. The family suggests memorials be made to either the El Reno Carnegie Library, 215 E. Wade, El Reno, OK 73036 or to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, 428 W. California, Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.
Daily Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK) — Saturday, December 27, 2003