Betty Hughes

Betty J. Hughes died August 31, 2026, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She was 89.

Betty was born and raised in Crowville, Louisiana, and never missed a chance to tell you what a wonderful place it was to grow up—with her little brother Johnny, her doting grandparents Maw and Paw Eldridge, and numerous close cousins. Betty remained proud throughout her life of graduating as her class salutatorian.

Betty loved her family fiercely and unconditionally. She was remarkably forgiving, generous with others and, perhaps most memorably, a lot of fun. She painted and drew, sewed clothes for her children, took tap and belly dancing lessons, wore silly hats and costumes, and was perfectly willing to embarrass her children if it made everyone laugh.

She was an exceptional cook whose kitchen was often the center of family life. She loved entertaining and throwing themed parties and amassed an impressive collection of recipes, which she spent countless hours typing, organizing and annotating into volumes of homemade cookbooks.

Betty was also a wonderful correspondent. Her letters often included funny drawings, and when email came along, she embraced it as another way to keep up with family and friends.

In her younger years, Betty worked as a keypunch operator for the phone company in Jackson, Mississippi, and as a secretary at Pascagoula City Hall. She later volunteered at a veterans hospital. After her children were grown, Betty became an enthusiastic world traveler. Her husband’s work took them overseas for many years, including time living in the Middle East and Europe, and gave them the opportunity to travel extensively. Scotland held a particularly special place in her heart. In retirement, Betty and Doc made Hendersonville their home.

Though the years eventually took away many of Betty’s memories, they never took her spunky attitude, her love of music and cats, or her ability to make those around her smile.

She was preceded in death by Carroll Weaver “Doc” Hughes, her husband of 61 years, who died in 2023; her parents, George M. and Pearl Hughes; her brother, Johnny M. Hughes; her son, James “Tiger” Ming; and her stepson, David A. Hughes.

She is survived by her children, Donna Hughes Smith, Darrell Hughes (Kerry), and stepdaughter Mary “Missy” Hughes; her grandchildren, Mary Saponaro, Laura Repass, Dara Hughes Sierra, Johnny Hughes, Caitlin Hughes, Jenny Cox, Faith Vanhowten, Elisabeth “Lissa” Hughes and David B. Hughes; numerous great-grandchildren; and extended family and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Monday, September 14, at 11 a.m., when she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 248 Honor Circle, Newton, Mississippi 39345.