NORTH CAROLINA, USA — WFMY News 2 is hearing from the family of Melodi Hodges.
She is one of seven people killed in a tragic plane crash in Wyoming Friday.
Her brothers said their baby sister Melodi is the light in their lives. Irv and Alan Hodges told us gospel and ministering has always been a part of Melodi's life.
Growing up, their family would go on international mission trips to spread the Word of God.
"We grew up on a mission field together, all three of us alone with my mom and dad and served many years in Mexico and parts of Central America," brother Irv said.
The brothers said their sister's sudden death is devastating.
"She was the center of the family, she was our little sister," Irv said.
"We were best friends," brother Alan shared.
Her brothers said Melodi spent most of her adult life in Greensboro where she joined Pleasant Garden Baptist Church and continued to go on mission trips.
Soon a visit to Charlotte to see The Nelons gospel group later turned into their sister joining their team. Looking back, her brother said she always had a taste for music.
"She played accordion a lot when she was young, we gave her a hard time about that accordion," Alan said.
Both bothers said Melodi ministered through music.
"She had a servant's heart and she loved to serve and being in God service," Irv said.
Her brothers told us she worked for The Nelons for nearly a decade as their assistant. She also traveled with them regularly until a fatal accident Friday afternoon. Their plane went down in Wyoming. The group was on their way to the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
"She perished doing something that she loves, she died in service to the Lord," Irv said.
The NTSB is investigating the tragic accident.
The Hodges family told us they have many questions that need answers before they can start planning a memorial to honor Melodi.
Full statement - Gaither Management Group:
One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise. Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.