industry : beth hodges
Remembering
Beth Hodges BY LINDA PRINCIPE
B
eth Hodges—drapery fabricator, educator,
Through a chance meeting, she met Cheryl Strickland, who was
speaker, trainer, installer and window covering
establishing a school to train others about window coverings.
industry icon—passed away on April 26. Beth
Cheryl hired Beth as an instructor. Beth continued to work as a
was born in Augusta, GA, on January 14, 1949.
lead teacher for 17 years in addition to growing her business in
She worked at Southern Bell for 13 years before
Elberton. She taught classes across the country for many years. In
moving to Elberton with her husband, the Hon. Thomas L. Hodges,
2014, Beth was named the education director for DöFix USA and
III. She was an active member of
traveled all over, presenting seminars
many civic organizations in Elberton,
and doing private training for the
but when her twins were born, she
German company.
took a break to care for her growing family.
Beth was a longtime member of the board of directors of the Window
During this time, Beth learned to sew.
Coverings Association of America and its
She began a small business making
president for two terms. She continued
window treatments, working alone
to present seminars at international
and at home in what spare time
events, trade shows, trade schools and
she could find between children’s
universities throughout her working life.
activities. As the children got older, the business grew also, and Beth took opportunities to learn her trade by attending classes offered at trade shows around the country. Eventually, she qualified for every certification in the window covering industry and became a champion for education.
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MAY + JUNE 2020 | wf-vision.com
Beth was a loving wife, mother of five and grandmother of 11. In addition to her designers and clients, Beth cherished the ladies who worked for her. View heartfelt
reflections from some of the industry professionals who were impacted by Beth’s skills and friendship at wf-vision.com. V
