Kodell Loftis

Kodell J. Loftis, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, October 31, 2016 after a brief period of declining health.  He was born November 23, 1924 to parents, Robert Percy Loftis and Corrie Rumley Loftis.    His childhood and young adulthood were spent on a farm in Providence, NC where the family was members of Providence Baptist Church. After graduating from Cobb Memorial High School, he worked at Dan River Mills of Danville prior to entering U.S. military service in 1944.  He served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1944-1946 where he was a tailgunner in B-17 and B-24 bombers.  His duty stations included The Aleutian Islands of Alaska.    He met the love of his life in Danville, Virginia, Jacqueline Rivers Blalock Loftis. They were married July 2, 1943.  His loving wife predeceased him in 2012.  They were dedicated members of Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Providence, NC where he served as Sunday School Superintendent and as a member of the United Methodist Men.  He was also a dedicated member of the church choir.   After 22 years with Dan River Inc., he became employed with the State of North Carolina Department of Corrections as Maintenance Supervisor, initially for five state prisons. His responsibilities expanded to include the entire maintenance operations for eleven state prisons.  He enjoyed a distinguished career and retired from state service in 1990.   In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his parents, one brother, Percy Elree Loftis, and one sister, Alease Loftis Carroll, all of Providence, NC. He is survived by one sister, Agnes Loftis Patterson, of Danville, Virginia.   He is also survived by one daughter, Martha Loftis Hupp of Providence, NC and husband, Larry, and one son, Kodell J. Loftis, Jr. and wife, Judy.  He is also survived by three grandchildren, Adam Christopher Hupp, Sarah Elizabeth Hupp Williamson and husband, Thomas, and Joseph Paul Loftis.  He has a number of nephews and nieces.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those led to do so make donations to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, Memorial Fund, 1705 Shady Grove Road, Providence, NC 27315.   Visitation is Saturday, November 5th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Shady Grove United Methodist Church.  The funeral will be held Sunday, November 6th at 2:00 p.m. also at Shady Grove United Methodist Church with the Reverend James Young Kim officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the VFW Post # 7316 and the American Legion Post # 89. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Larry and Martha Hupp.    Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street is serving the Loftis family.