Joanne Beneke

A memorial honoring the life of Joanne Shanks Hodges Beneke, 84, formerly of Bridgeport, will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Bridgeport, on Friday, March 12, 2021, beginning at 2 p.m.  She passed away Monday, March 1, 2021.

Joanne was born in Bridgeport on July 9, 1936, to E.J. and Dema Shanks.  She graduated as Salutatorian of her class of 1954 and attended Texas Christian University on an academic scholarship.   In 1956, she married Joe V. Hodges, and they welcomed two daughters, Traci Lin and Kelli Jo.  In 1964, they opened Hodges Hardware together.  Following Joe’s death in 1968, Joanne obtained her real estate license. She became a successful real estate agent selling residential and commercial property and specialized in farms and ranches. She was a member of the Texas Association of Farm and Ranch Brokers and served as Education Chairman.  Joanne was always interested and supportive in developing schools and businesses in Bridgeport. She served as Secretary of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Bridgeport Board of Education, President of the Bridgeport Civic Club, and President of the Bridgeport Women’s Golf Association.  She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church.  

In 1976, Joanne was blessed to marry the second love of her life, Robert (Bob) G. Beneke.  For the next forty years, they made many wonderful memories traveling and spending time with their children, grandchildren, and many friends.  During their time in Dallas, they worked together to manage and grow the building and property development business, Glen Central Properties. After living in Dallas for 25 years, Bob and Joanne returned to Lake Bridgeport in 2001.  Upon her return, Joanne continued her community involvement by serving on the Doctor’s Hospital Board of Directors, the Bridgeport Education Foundation, the Bridgeport Main Street Advisory Board, the Tarrant County Apartment Association, the Wise County Art Association, and was inducted into the Bridgeport High School Wall of Fame.

Joanne will be dearly missed but always in our hearts.  She lived her life with kindness, passion, and a beautiful talent for making those around her feel welcomed, appreciated, and loved. She had an affinity for cooking, art, travel (especially Italy), painting, and entertaining.  She was the embodiment of grace, class, and a keen wit.

She is survived by a loving blended family; her daughters Traci Hodges Milliner and husband, Riley, Kelli Hodges, Victoria Hodges, Kaye Beneke, and son Jim Beneke and wife, Janet; granddaughters Blair Ryan and husband, Laud, Jennifer Bingham and husband, Brad, Laura Lea Terlaak and husband, Parker, Hailey Abaee and husband, Jonathan, Lori Milliner; and  grandson Joel Hodges.  She delighted in her three great-grandsons Shiner Moody, Liam Bohanan, and Brooks Bingham, and three great-granddaughters Emily Bingham, McCall Terlaak, and Arden Ryan.  She is also survived by her youngest sister, Sue Hudson of Sonora, Texas.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Robert G. Beneke, her parents, E.J. and Dema Shanks, brother, Gene Shanks, and sister, Jackie Davis, all of Bridgeport, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, St. Jude's Children Hospital, or the charity of your choice.

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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