Kelvin "Kelly" Hodge was born on November 7, 1965 in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands to Elisa Fenner and Calvin E. Hodge. Being the youngest and the only son amongst four girls, he was cared for and loved dearly by his mother and his older sisters, Lydia (Boynes), Lizbeth (Wilson), Cheryl (Brathwaite) and Lynette (Squiabro). Kelly's early education years were spent at Dober Elementary School and later on at Kirwin Terrace  Elementary School. It was at Kirwin Terrace Elementary School that Kelly and Sherry became friends; they were classmates in several grades. Their friendship continued to Wayne Aspinal until Sherry relocated to New York. Kelly continued to Charlotte Amalie High School, "C.A.H.S." and graduated with the Class of 1983.
Kelly attended Delaware State College in the Fall of 1983. Not a fan of the cold weather, and too far from family, his classmate Arthlyn persuaded him to attend Jones College. He relocated to Jacksonville, Florida where he shared an aprartment with his highschool friend. Upon graduation from Jones College, Kelly moved to New York, a city that he loved. As fate would have it, Kelly and Sherry were reunited in New York. After dating for a short time, they were married on November 25, 1989. Their union produced two daughters, Kiara and Alyssa. Recently, the family loving Aaliyah, adopted her into the Hodge family. Several years later, Kelly and Sherry made the decision to move to Jacksonville for a better quality of life. He was able to continue his employment with the Social Security Administration here. Kelly's compassion for others made him a perfect fit for his job, assisting the public that he served.

Kelly was well liked and respected among his peers. Upon hearing of his passing, many were quick to tell of his personality, he was "sincere, kind- hearted, easy going, a beautiful soul and just a special person". He truly was all of that. Kelly loved his family. He was a great husband and father. He loved his "Sherry-Amore" and she loved him the same, often calling him her "Love-ah-my life". It was obvious that 32 years later, they still genuinely loved each other and enjoyed being together. When you saw one, the other was either next to, or not far behind. They loved life together! His daughters were the "apples of his eyes". Feeling the love he showed them, they often told him he was "the greatest father ever"! He was his family's source of strength, encouragement and guidance. Kelly was there for every important moment and took every opportunity to make sure his family was supported.
Kelly's love for his wife and children didn't stop with just them. His sensitivity and gentleness from his mom, who he absolutely loved, made it easy for him to love his siblings, and their family. He would always say, "they were a small, close-knit family looking out for each other like Lisa would want us to". Kelly loved to cook! As a young boy, he spent many hours in the kitchen cooking with his mother, Lisa. He carried that passion for cooking into his adult life. Always happy to cook food, there were weekends where he made a huge dinner, fixed plates, (never without a slice of cake) and went to the areas known for the homeless population. He was happy to use what he loved to do, to meet the needs of people he
cared about. He really was that awesome person! Kelly loved to travel. He wanted to visit certain museums, historic places, every state and of course, every island in the Caribbean! After all of that, he would consider exploring Europe! No matter the places on his Bucket List, there was no place like "home". St. Thomas was truly where his heart was! He loved saying, "VI till I Die". His final resting place will be in St. Thomas, next to his mom.

Kelly's passing on October 14, 2020, from complications of Covid 19 was a devasting blow to family, friends and co-workers. Time and memories will heal the hurt of loosing our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, co-worker and friend. He will no longer be in our pictures, we won't hear his laughter again, but the people whose life he influenced, and the family that he created, will endure. That's what Kelly would want us to do! Kelvin "Kelly" Hodge, you are forever in our hearts!

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Arlington Park Funeral Home.