After a three-year long battle with breast cancer, beloved North Lamar teacher Kristi Hodgkiss passed away on Dec. 3, 2022, and now the community is coming together to help the family.
“In her 54 years of life, Kristi accomplished a legacy larger than most can achieve in a lifetime. She was a devoted community servant whose work will be cherished for decades to come by former students, her husband, Dennis, and her children and extended family.”
Hodgkiss graduated from North Lamar ISD in 1986 and after obtaining multiple degrees, she began teaching at North Lamar High School in 1990.
“Her tenure at North Lamar High School was marked by unbounding success. Kristi was able to found and instruct a UIL Speech and Debate team that became nationally ranked during her 32 years of tenure at North Lamar Independent School district. As the Director of the Speech and Debate Program at North Lamar High School, Kristi amassed a staggering surplus of 25 team and individual Texas state championships, more than 50 national debate tournament qualifiers, gained a reputation as a top-tier tournament coordinator, and was the recipient of countless coaching and advocate awards from the University Interscholastic League and the National Speech and Debate Association.”
Her dedication and passion for her students is evident with the dozens of messages left on her Facebook page since her passing.
“I absolutely adored her as a French teacher and her engagement with her students was second to none. The world lost a gem today, she was a diamond,” said one former student.
Another said, “Truly, truly heartbroken. Her impact on the world will continue through all the students she taught, helped and encouraged. That is a true legacy.”
After a long battle with breast cancer, friends and family are now rallying together to help alleviate some of the financial stress of medical bills and funeral costs.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the family.
“The Hodgkiss family has been extremely grateful for all of the help that many different communities have extended,” said GoFundMe organizer Katie Hodgkiss. “Unfortunately, medical costs are starting to pile up for the family. Between medical bills, hospital stays, ambulance rides, and general living costs; the family could use some extra help.”
Those wishing to donate can click here
Services are scheduled for 3:30 pm Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at the North Lamar High School Auditorium under the direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home.
The Rev. Judi Brandt will officiate, with burial following at Hopewell Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at the Bright-Holland Funeral Home Chapel.
Kristi is survived by her husband, Dennis Hodgkiss, of Hopewell; sister, Alice Hignight and husband Greg Hignight of Hopewell; children, son and daughter-in-law, Carver and Aerial Hodgkiss of Denver, Colorado; son Colin Hodgkiss, of Hopewell; daughter Katie Hodgkiss and boyfriend Zach Huffman, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; niece, Grace Hignight of Hopewell; niece Ashley Carney and husband Jesse of Durant; nephew Garon Hignight and wife Callie of Antlers, Oklahoma; her aunt Virginia “Kay-Kay” Cope of Howland and her children; and Uncle Benny Fields of Howland and his children.
For full obituary, click here
