Willie Lee Hodge Jr., Donor

Willie was And ALWAYS will be my only BELOVED SON. Willie was a father of five amazing children four boys and one daughter. He was a big brother to my only daughter Janza, who was at the GATES OF HEAVEN to greet her brother as she had passed three years earlier. Willie always was considerate and kind to everyone he met. He had fashioned his heart to be a giver, a pleaser, and a God-fearing man. When he was about 34 years old, he had gone to the hospital because he was having some struggles and at that time was when he was diagnosed with type one diabetes. He had never shown signs throughout his life of being a diabetic. He was healthy strong 6 foot three 240 pounds a strapping, handsome young man so needless to say it was quite a shock when he was diagnosed immediately as a type one insulin independent diabetic.. as life went on his diabetes, became worse and worse, eventually changing into severe brittle diabetes. He became definitely ill many many times and was in the hospital more than he was at home. He was dependent on life support 15 times in the last 13 years several times he had completely passed away, and they brought him back to life each time a little more sicker. He tried desperately to conquer this diabetes with diet and exercise, but his body was extremely resistant and did not cooperate at the time of his death. He was still 6 foot three but he weighed 104 pounds extremely initiated extremely ill he had had toes removed because of the crippling diabetes. But he always kept a smile on his face, even in his most dire times right before he died. We had a conversation to be sure that I knew that he still wanted to be a DONOR and although he could not donate organs, he donated every other piece and part of his body that was salvageable so well I do not physically have my son here. Many many many people will have pieces and parts of my son to survive I thank God for my sons generous gifts to give back to those still living and those that will survive because of him and I want you all to know he loved life and he loved to give back and on his last breath and on his deathbed, that’s exactly what he did Willie, this mama here loves you and will love you for as long as I continue to breathe and thereafter. Save a place right next to you and your sister for when it’s my time to join you. You are missed more than you know.