Barbara O. Hodges-Leinhart

Barbara O. Hodges-Leinhart passed away peacefully, at home, on Saturday evening 10/18/25. Barbara was born on August 17, 1945 to Roy and Ann Ollis living in Erwin, TN. Barbara spent her early years in Erwin until the family moved to Los Angeles, CA and lived there for four years. They then returned to Erwin, TN just prior to Barbara entering Unicou County High School from where she graduated in 1963. Barbara then went on to earn Degrees in Chemistry and Biology from East Tennessee State University. After college, Barbara spent many years employed by Iodent Corp. in Elizabethton, TN. Iodent was eventually bought out by the Conair Corp. and Barbara transitioned to a Vice President position with Conair working briefly at their California plant and then for 14 years at their Rantoul, IL plant, during which time Barbara lived in Champaign, IL. In March of 2000, Barbara and her husband, Denis Leinhart Sr. retired to the Moss Creek Community near Hilton Head Island, SC.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 35 years, Denis Leinhart Sr., her step-son Denis Leinhart Jr. of Bluffton, SC, her first cousins Junior Ollis and Harry Ollis of Erwin, TN, Roy Ollis of Jonesboro, TN, and Farrell Ollis of Jacksboro, TN, and life-long friend Fredna Ollis of Erwin, TN, as well as many second and third cousins in the Ewin, TN area. Barbara was predeceased by her son Todd Hodges in 2007. Barbara was a member of the St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church.

Barbara enjoyed using her Chemistry education to be creative in the Kitchen and was an outstanding cook. Besides cooking, Barbara enjoyed dancing, her evening scotch and water and watching her NCIS, Bluebloods and Matlock TV shows. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend and will be greatly missed. Barbara will be interred at the Evergreen Cemetery in Erwin, TN.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC.