Mary Jo Hodge Monts, of Columbia, passed away on April 16, 2018. She was born and raised in Lamar, SC, the daughter of the late Joe Tom and Mary Bennett Hodge. She moved to Columbia to attend Columbia College, finishing with a degree in Education. Mrs. Monts briefly taught school in Aiken county and returned to Columbia to marry the late David Elmore Monts. Their marriage lasted for almost 50 years. She was very dedicated to her family and friends, was a Charter Member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church and remained active in church activities until her health declined in recent years.

She is survived by her three children, Joe Monts, Cherie Ulmer, Mary Gail Chamblee (Cary); four grandchildren, Candice Heinz (Brent), David Monts, D.J. Ulmer, and Bennett Ulmer; three great grandchildren, Madden, Samantha, and Sawyer. Also surviving are her sister, Gail H. Watts; sister-in-law, Mildred Monts; nephew, Marion Monts (Nancy); and nieces, Ellen Hall and Nancy Rayfield (Bobby).

The graveside service for Mrs. Monts will be held at 11 o'clock, Friday, April 20th, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, with the Reverend Reginald Thackston officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the graveside. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

The family appreciates all the kindness and love shown to their family by her caregivers for the past two years. Their dedication allowed her to remain at home. They would also like to thank her wonderful team of physicians: Dr. Christopher Ballou, Dr. Mark Mayson, Dr. Terry Grainger, and Teresa Durden, ACNP.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Palmetto Health Foundation, Synovus Processing Center, P.O. Box 162128, Atlanta, GA 30321-2128, or The American Heart Association of the Midlands, 190 Knox Abbot Dr., Suite 301, Cayce, SC 29033, or Harvest Hope Food Bank, P.O. Box 451, Columbia, SC 29202.