St. George’s Hodges: A Steady Presence in Service
In the upper reaches of Dorchester County sits the small town of St. George, home of the World Grits Festival. Though its population hovers around 2,000 residents, locals proudly claim it boasts the highest per capita consumption of grits anywhere in the world. The festival itself is a testament to the town’s character, complete with a signature contest where participants roll in a vat of grits, competing to see who can emerge with the most sticking to them.
The same sense of persistence and “stick-to-itiveness” can be found in Dr. James Hodges. A longtime servant leader, Dr. Hodges has dedicated decades to his community, including his role as secretary of the Dorchester School District 4 (DD4) Board of Trustees. This November will mark an impressive 35 years of board service, having initially been inspired by someone else’s service.
“As with many major decisions I made during my lifetime, I consulted with my late father, Woodrow H. Hodges, who served on the Palmetto Rural Telephone Company board for many years,” said Dr. Hodges. “He encouraged me to run for a position on my local school board; and because of God’s grace and mercy, I am still able to be of service to my community.”
In addition to his contributions to education, Dr. Hodges became a cornerstone of the local business community. He owned and operated Cash Discount Drug Store in St. George for 30 years before selling the business in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of care, commitment and connection.
Prior to owning the pharmacy and shortly after completing his studies at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Dr. Hodges worked as a pharmacist at Sea Island Healthcare Center on Johns Island. His eldest daughter, Jona’ L. Hodges, was in the tenth grade when he acquired the pharmacy — a milestone that deepened the admiration she and her siblings held for both of their parents.
Jona’ said as a teen, she witnessed first-hand, her parents helping sick people who came to the pharmacy for advice on over-the-counter products until they were able to see their physician.
“One feels a sense of admiration from observing and realizing the relationships and trust the community has placed in your parent,” said Jona’.
Her parents’ service extended well beyond the pharmacy counter. Deeply rooted in Springtown United Methodist Church, Dr. Hodges and his late wife, Janie M. Hodges, devoted countless hours to worship, ministry and volunteer service.
“Daddy traveled to pick up bread donations for the church’s food bank distribution, and he and momma worked alongside each other onsite at the food bank for years,” Jona’ said.
When the pastor was away, church members often looked to Dr. Hodges, a lifelong lay leader, to deliver the Sunday message.
It was fitting for a man whose life consistently reflected steadiness more than spotlight.
This same dependable presence extended beyond the walls of the church. Whether serving customers at Cash Discount Drug Store, mentoring younger generations or helping guide decisions as a member of the DD4 board, Dr. Hodges became a trusted figure in the lives of countless families throughout the community.
Long before receiving statewide recognition, residents in St. George already understood his value.
In 2021, MUSC honored Dr. Hodges as the College of Pharmacy’s Distinguished Alumnus, the institution’s highest alumni recognition. The honor carried particular significance because in 1971, he became the first African American graduate of the MUSC College of Pharmacy.
At a time when racial tensions remained high across the country, Dr. Hodges quietly persevered.
“You have to understand, the racial tension was high during the time I was there, but I was there for a purpose,” Hodges shared during a return visit to MUSC. “In order for me to do what I needed to do, I had to keep my focus on my work.”
This mindset would shape the remainder of his life.
Raised in nearby Walterboro, Dr. Hodges grew up watching his parents operate Hodges Barber and Beauty Shop.
“Momma and daddy worked in the same building. However, it was designed with separate entrances to accommodate their clientele,” he said. “Momma had her side and daddy had his side.”
The shop, along with life on the family farm, taught him discipline, hard work and the importance of serving people well. Those values followed him to Claflin University and eventually to MUSC, where he entered pharmacy school during a transformative period in both South Carolina and the nation.
He often credits his father for encouraging him to pursue pharmacy, believing the profession would allow him to build stability for his family while serving others.
After graduation, Dr. Hodges spent several years working as a pharmacist before purchasing Cash Discount Drug Store in St. George in 1984. Known for his patience and skill in compounding medications, he built lasting relationships with generations of customers.
“I was never in a hurry,” Hodges said. “I wanted to do it right.”
Outside of work and public service, family members describe Dr. Hodges as a man who appreciated life’s simpler pleasures. He enjoyed watching “Perry Mason,” singing in the choir and male chorus at Springtown United Methodist Church, tending his immaculate yard and spending time outdoors with his sons.
He especially loved meals prepared by his wife, whose cooking became part of the rhythm of family life.
“Momma loved to cook and daddy loved eating everything she prepared, especially the cakes she made from scratch,” Jona’ said.
Though accomplished professionally, Dr. Hodges remained most passionate about helping others, particularly elderly residents and those who were sick or shut in. Family members recall him and his wife routinely stopping to check on neighbors, often without recognition or fanfare.
Though his service as a member of the DD4 board hasn’t outlasted his 43-year tenure as a licensed pharmacist yet, Dr. Hodges has certainly made headway.
Now, at 80, Dr. Hodges and his adult children – Jona’ L. Hodges, James L. Hodges, II (deceased), Jametta Hodges Stewart, James W. Hodges, Joel E. Hodges and Justin P. Hodges – rest in and on the same quiet strength which has long defined his life of service, and his legacy remains firmly rooted in the community he helped shape.
For decades, residents entered Cash Discount Drug Store seeking medicine, advice and reassurance. Students benefited from his leadership on the school board. Church members worshiped beside him. Neighbors watched him serve without fanfare.
In many ways, Dr. Hodges has become exactly what St. George prides itself on being: dependable, welcoming and grounded in community.
