Elmwood Cemetery

Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Elaine Kay Elkins Hodgden

June 10, 1945 - December 1, 2025

laine Kay (Elkins) Hodgden passed away on December 1, 2025 at the age of 80. Funeral services will be held on December 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Woodward. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Elaine was born on June 10, 1945 in Mineral Wells, Texas to Gresham and Marie (Lamb) Elkins. Elaine was an only child and the family moved to Woodward in 1950. After graduating from Woodward High School, Elaine attended Oklahoma City University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in English Education. Upon graduating from college, Elaine taught English for 3 years at Midwest City High School where she was recognized as Teacher of the Year after only her 2nd year.

Elaine was united in marriage to Bryce Hodgden on February 24, 1970 and they made their home in Woodward. They were blessed with 2 sons, Cody Bryce and Ryan Louis. Elaine was blessed to have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed volunteering in the community and always recognized the importance of advocating for children, having served on the Foster Care Review Board for several years and overseeing various communiy initiatives focused on drug and alcohol awareness for young adults. Bryce and Elaine loved road trips and claimed to have visited all of the lower 48 states over the past 55 years.

Elaine's true passion and calling was music. She was an accomplished organist and pianist and started playing the organ at the First Baptist Church when she was 15 years old. After marrying Bryce, she joined the Catholic church and continued playing the organ on Sunday mornings. In 1990, she transferred to the First Christian Church where she continued playing the organ on Sunday mornings. Elaine played the organ at Church on Sunday mornings for nearly 60 years and she proudly proclaimed that she had played the organ for hundreds of weddings and funerals at every church in Woodward. She practiced for hours and hours every week to make sure that the songs she played were perfect. Elaine loved serving the Lord and being able to worship Him with the gift of music. One of Elaine's favorite bible verses was Psalm 100:1-2 "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

Elaine loved her family, especially her grandkids. She loved picking the grandkids up after school when they were younger, going to get some ice cream, organizing craft projects and having sleep-overs at her home ... actually, the only time she ever allowed the house to be "out of order" was when the grandkids were scattering toys everywhere. Elaine didn't enjoy cooking (as she often reminded us) and we are sure she was one of the Schwan man's best customers. Elaine liked to joke that there was nothing in her wedding vows about cooking dinner or ironing clothes.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Bryce, who has been her patient, loving and devoted caregiver for many years. Also surviving are her son Cody and wife Monica, son Ryan and wife JoDell, and 4 grandchildren Carson, Garrett (and girlfriend Sophia Leierer), Austin and Lauren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Woodward First Christian Church Outreach Program with the funeral home accepting contributions.

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