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Hodges Retirement Party Takes Place on Saturday, June 27 at Boone United Methodist

Watauga County Board of Election Supervisor Jane Ann Hodges retirement
Hodges reads her letter of retirement in January. Photos by Lonnie Webster

By Jesse Wood

A retirement party for Jane Ann Hodges, who contributed to the elections process for more than 30 years in Watauga County, takes place on Saturday, June 27 at the Boone United Methodist Church.

The reception is being hosted by Watauga County, the Watauga County Democratic Party, the Watauga County Republican Party, Donna Houck and Larry Henson, Sue Thomas, Caroleen Watson and the board members on the Watauga County Board of Elections, Bill Aceto, Kathleen Campbell and Luke Eggers.

Hodges, whose retires at the end of the month as the Watauga County elections director, acknowledged her upcoming retirement in January. She noted medical issues, such as several bouts of cancer in recent years, and the desire to spend time with her grandbabies.

Hodges spent almost three decades at the helm of elections in Watauga County. Capping her career this past April, Hodges received the inaugural “Outstanding Director Award” from her peers in the N.C. Association of Directors of Elections.

“Jane Ann Hodges has always been professional, ethical, and has worked hard to give voting citizens elections that were fair and honest for the past 29 years. For Jane Ann, this is not just a job, but a commitment to serve the citizens of Watauga County and the State of North Carolina,” the statement from NCADE read.

Hodges said she was extremely honored by the award and mentioned that she took great pride in holding elections in a nonpartisan manner.

“My blood would run … what is the mixture between red and blue?” Hodges said back in January.

A flyer announcing the celebration of Hodges notes “no gifts please, just bring memories of Jane for her book.”

The event starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. To RSVP, contact Watauga County Board of Elections staff at donna.houck@watgov.org or larry.henson@wat.gov.org.