This week, the Hodges family will honor a half-century of cherished tradition and lasting accomplishments at their 50th family reunion, set to take place August 7th–10th in their ancestral hometown of Hope Mills, North Carolina.
The multi-day celebration will bring generations of family members from across the country together to reconnect, honor their rich history, and inspire the next generation to continue the legacy. From “rep your city” themed t-shirts and bowling nights to elegant banquets and worship services, the gathering will blend joy, reflection, and unity—hallmarks of the Hodges family spirit.
Honoring the Family’s Roots
The Hodges family traces its lineage to Samuel Jasper Hodges Sr. and Fannie Buxton Hodges, renowned figures in Hope Mills and Cumberland County’s African American history. Samuel Hodges, commonly known to the family as “Grandpa Hodges,” once the largest Black landowner in the county and in the state, was a respected entrepreneur, community leader, and philanthropist. In 2024, the town of Hope Mills formally recognized Samuel Hodges and the Hodges family with a proclamation during Black History Month, honoring their contributions.
Terry Hodges, a retired healthcare attorney and family historian, recalled Samuel’s resilience and ingenuity.
“He worked by day and cut wood by night to accumulate land, not realizing how valuable it would become,” Terry said.
The descendants of Samuel Jasper and Fannie Buxton Hodges; Courtesy of Samantha Wineglass
“Our roots run deep here—we’ve been in Cumberland County for over 100 years. We want to be known. We want to be remembered,” he added.
Stories, Strength, and Shared History
This year’s reunion will feature a family-produced documentary capturing stories from some of the oldest living members. It will showcase historical moments, cultural traditions, and deeply personal reflections—from tales of resilience in a segregated South to the joys of the family accomplishments.
Samantha Wineglass, a former speech pathologist, and Lauren Hodges, a spice company entrepreneur, fondly recalled past reunions rooted in the family’s farmland and agricultural heritage (watermelon seed-spitting contests and pig-pickin’ cookouts) and storytelling.
“It’s the little moments—men gathered around the fire, preparing the pig overnight. That’s the kind of memory that sticks,” said Samantha.
Uncovering his family tree has been enlightening for Michael Powell, a lock operator from Pittsburgh, PA. Michael discovering his family history is likened to the journey of Alex Haley learning and writing his family history in his 1976 novel, Roots: The Saga of an American Family.
The Hodges family boasts a legacy of excellence across multiple fields, with members ranging from Negro League baseball players and pioneering CIAA athletes to military leaders like Colonel Adele E. Hodges, the first Black female colonel at Camp Lejeune.
Looking Ahead
Honoring the past, the Hodges family is deeply committed to the future. With eyes on legacy-building, the family are encouraging younger relatives to embrace their heritage, build on connections, document their lineage, and build networks of support.
“We want to bring everyone back together so the younger generation can build those cousin relationships—and more importantly, see what’s possible,” said Samantha.
“Our family is filled with doctors, entrepreneurs, educators, and leaders,” Lauren shared. Lauren said that her desire is for the younger generation to not only witness this greatness but also find inspiration in it.
Lauren added, “I want the younger generation to see the greatness we come from and realize they can go anywhere, do anything. That’s the real power of legacy.”
A Legacy That Lives On
As the Hodges family gathers in Hope Mills this August, they are doing far more than celebrating a reunion—they are nurturing a living legacy. Through storytelling, shared meals, joyful celebration, and reflection, they are affirming what matters most: connection, perseverance, and pride in where they came from, as reflected in this year’s theme, “Reuniting the Past, Shaping the Future.”
With each embrace and memory shared, the Hodges family continues to prove that while time moves forward, their roots—and their unity—remain unshakable.
