Hundreds honor Beaufort Rev. Hodges for being soft-spoken with a powerful voice
More than 500 people, including local, county and state leaders, gathered to say goodbye Saturday to the Rev. Kenneth Hodges, a widely-known religious, political and community leader in Beaufort who was also a father, husband, brother and friend to many.
He was also known for his relentless efforts to preserve Black history.
For 30 years, Hodges was the pastor at Beaufort Tabernacle Church on Craven Street, and served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for 10. But he was a complex man who wore many hats. In addition to these professional roles, he was a talented photographer, studying under the noted photographer Edmond Marshal at Clark College in Atlanta. He was an avid art and antique collector and owned LyBensons Studio and Art Gallery on St. Helena Island.
A large, old church but every seat was filled
The church, one of the city’s oldest, seats about 400 and not one was empty during a emotional but joyful service filled with songs and words celebrating Hodges’ multi-faceted life and accomplishments that was also streamed to a room in a neighboring building capable of holding another 100.
Remembered as visionary
Hodges, who was 73, died April 22 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital after a brief illness, shocking the congregation that he led for many years.
Hodge’s wife, Patricia, and their three daughters, Kendrea, Kenyatta and Kenithea, were among the crowd that filed into the 200-year-old church, quickly filling it to the rafters. As they passed Hodges, who lied in repose at the front of the church under a scripture on the wall, Matthew 11:28, that reads, “Come onto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest,” some reached out to touch the pastor who touched so many lives in the community.
Hodges was remembered as a visionary go-getter who did things his way and waited for others to come around, especially when it came to memorializing important contributions of historic Black leaders in Beaufort. One was Robert Smalls, born a slave, who became a Civil War hero and congressman. The famous Beaufortonian is buried at the church and a bust graces the property. Later, Hodges fought to recognize abolitionist Harriet Tubman with a sculpture that was erected on church property last year. The sculpture recognizes her role in freeing hundreds of formerly enslaved people during the Combahee River Raid in 1863.
‘Help us in this hour’
In a prayer at the beginning of the service, the Rev. James Moore asked God “to help us in this hour” and thanked him for Hodges who was born in the fishing community of Bennetts Point in Colleton County and rose to lead a historic church in Tabernacle Baptist that was “born out of the depths of slavery.”
The church was started by Black worshipers in 1863 although the historic building dates to 1811. Hodges became the pastor in 1995.
Despite his role leading a historic church, Hodges was not afraid to try new ideas.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, recalled Savanah French, who works in the church’s media ministry, Hodges continued to preach, without an in-person audience, while French recorded the sermons for online viewing. Later during the pandemic, Hodges oversaw “drive by” communion, when congregation members drove up in front of the church to receive communion from Hodges.
“He wanted to be available and accessible and get the Lord’s word out,” French said.
Was independent voice
The funeral drew a who’s who of community leaders including Mayor Phil Cromer, former mayor Billy Keyserling, County Councilman York Glover and state Rep. Michael Rivers of St. Helena Island. Hodges served in the Legislature from 2006-2016.
Cromer called Hodges a pillar of the community who was devoted to preserving African American history and led with purpose, grace and deep devotion to God and others. A proclamation he signed officially declared May 3, the day of Hodges’ funeral, a day of mourning in Beaufort in remembrance of his contributions.
Glover drew an “Amen!” when he noted that Hodges may have been soft spoken but spoke with a powerful voice that he used to get things accomplished.
Hodges was a visionary who thought 10 to 15 years ahead, Deacon Howard Reeves said. When he first arrived, Reeves noted, Hodges walked around the block to meet with neighbors and ask them if the church could get the first right of refusal if they decided to sell their property. That outreach allowed the downtown church, surrounded by other properties with no room to expand, to acquire land over the years for its needs including parking space.
“He did a lot of things independently because he liked to move fast,” said Reeves, drawing laughter from the knowing audience familiar with Hodge’s reputation as a maverick who got things done.
Hodges, he added, “will be missed dearly.” “We can never replace him,” Reeves said.
Yassie Hodges, Hodges’ sister, called her brother a complex man because of his many roles: Pastor, politician, community leader, and husband, father and sibling. But to her, he was just “big brother.”
Their parents were farmers and shrimpers, Yassie Hodges said. Her brother, she said, had a sweet tooth and was known for his fondness for chewing on sugar cane.
‘Well done’ big brother
But he grew up to be a man, she added, with a big heart and big dreams.
With the death of their parents, Hodges, the oldest, took on grown-up responsibilities sooner than most, taking Yassie under his wing and helping her when she followed him to Atlanta for college and cheering her on, reminding her that their parents “would be proud.”
She laughed when Hodges first told her he wanted to be a pastor but she learned quickly not to doubt his vision. “Today I see him in no other role,” she said. Hodges was a master at multi-tasking, Yassie Hodges said. And when people would doubt him, telling him he was just going off and doing what he wanted, he would reply, “I’m just waiting for you to catch up.”
Hodge’s crown jewel, Yassie Hodges said, was the Harriet Tubman sculpture. She challenged the hundreds in attendance dream big, too. Figure out what lasting impact they can achieve in their lives, she said, and draw inspiration from Hodges, who was “an example of our ancestors’ wildest dreams.”
“I say to you, “Well done!” Yassie Hodges shouted to her big brother, bringing the attendees to their feet in applause.
This story was originally published May 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM.
