Sheila Ann Hodge, In Loving Memory, went to be with the Lord Wednesday November 22, 2017. Born to Henry O. Hodge and Dixie B. Grainger November 20, 1957, in Albany Georgia. She grew up in Sumter, SC with an older sister, Saundra, brother, Jay and younger brother Mark. Being the daughter of a military father found them traveling, with Japan being her favorite. She would ride the horses and swim in the Junior Olympics. They always returned home. She graduated from Salem High School in 1976 and proceeded to join the Air Force in 1978. She was a Senior Airman with the 354th Fighter Squadron, based in Myrtle Beach, SC. She was a Tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, and earned small arms expert marksmanship.. She moved to Texas in 1980 to pursue her one true passion...horses. 

She began at Sam Wilson Ranches in Brookshire, learning everything she could. She moved to Austin and was instrumental in building Rocking Horse Ranch, a successful equestrian and boarding facility. She was an accomplished trainer in all disciplines; English, western, hunter, jumper, and eventually racing. She would find herself moving to Richmond, Texas to manage a breeding facility, Lazy Day Farms. This move allowed her to sharpen her God given talent as well as starting her racing career. 

She moved to Waller in 1994 where she continued to train race and show. She showed and won at the local, state and world levels. She raced and won at Sam Houston Race Park, Manor Downs and Lone Star, earning the nickname Long Shot. 

After a career ending injury, she relocated to Hempstead in 2009, where she enjoyed the quiet and solitude and continued love of her horses, Tucker and Darby and her doggy children, Buddy (RIP), Barloe, Jack and Jewel. 

She is proceeded in death by her father, Henry O. Hodge and survived by her mother Dixie B. Grainger, Nichols, SC; sister Saundra and husband Tim, nieces Rebecca and Renna; nephew Ryan and wife Victoria; grand niece, Mary Ann and grand nephew, Elijah; Gainesville, FL; brother Jay and wife Jacquie, nieces, Amber and Lani; Tampa FL; brother, Mark and wife Kim; nephews, Bobby, Dylan, Zach and niece Audrey; Irmo, SC; aunt Ann and cousin Wanda, Nichols, SC; special friend, Sandra Kinsley, Sumter, SC; and her best friend, Nancy Wagoner; Hempstead, TX. 

No doubt you are riding Mac as beautiful and free as ever. God bless you Sheila, you will be missed. 

A Memorial Service will be Monday, December 4, 2017 at 11am at Canon Funeral Home.