
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 12, 1994                   TAG: 9407120099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HOEDOWN MASTERMIND DEAD AT 68

Edgar Hodges, the enterprising senior citizen who was the brains behind the monthly hoedowns at the Plantation Road Hardee's restaurant, on Sunday lost his short battle with cancer. He died at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center of complications related to the disease. He was 68.

Hodges had missed the hoedowns since January, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

"It was his wish to go [to the hoedown] this past Saturday night to give a testimonial to all the prayers said for him," said Hodges' nephew, Sherman Powell, who has been running the hoedowns since his uncle fell ill.

In May, Hodges told a Roanoke Times & World-News reporter that prayer was responsible for shrinking a tumor on his lung to 75 percent of its original size.

Powell said that despite the shrinkage, fluid continued to gather on Hodges' lung. He said Hodges went home Wednesday, but returned to the hospital Friday because he needed more oxygen. Powell said he died two days later of pneumonia.

Hodges started the hoedowns in March 1991 when he took up the mandolin he had not played in 30 years, got some friends together and played in the restaurant.

The gathering quickly grew into a regular monthly event for senior citizens, with three bands at each party, playing bluegrass, country and gospel music. As many as 200 people have attended the parties, from as far away as Clifton Forge and Eagle Rock.

Powell said the hoedowns will continue to be held on the second Saturday of each month. He said he can keep Hodges' parties going, but "I can't fill his shoes."

by CNB