James R. “Jimmy" Hodges, a Baptist minister and Florence native, died Oct. 8 at age 79 following a lengthy illness. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Hodges served as pastor in Alabama Baptist churches in Talladega, Robertsdale, Dadeville and Alexander City. He also served Mississippi churches in Progress, McComb, Bentonia, Hazelhurst and Waynesboro. Hodges served in the U.S.…