In Memory

Beulah Mae Bryan Hughes - Class Of 1943 VIEW PROFILE

Beulah Mae Hughes, loving and devoted mother, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the age of 99.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home in Center. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Watson and Sons Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Watson officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, Beulah Mae Hughes, loving and devoted mother, passed away at the age of 99.

A Shelby County native, Beulah was born October 8, 1923, to Ben and Linnie Bryan. She was the only girl in a family of six children. She graduated from high school in Timpson in 1943. The following year, she married the love of her life, Stanton Hughes. After he returned from World War II, they soon moved to Center and bought a house where she has lived since 1946.

Beulah lived her life in service to others. She served her husband and family. She served her church, and she served her community. Her presence has had a lasting impact on all around her.

Beulah was a devoted wife who was always by her husband’s side. She and Stanton were married for 59 years. When Stanton could no longer be cared for at home and had to go to a facility, Beulah faithfully visited him twice a day and monitored his care. She made sure he never felt alone. Early in their marriage, she assisted Stanton in starting his auto repair business. She kept the books, handled the invoices, and paid the taxes. Beulah also served as the dispatcher for the Volunteer Firemen. She “manned” the fire phone from her kitchen and directed the volunteers to the location of the fire. In addition, Beulah served as Stanton’s partner in raising money for the Shriners, his chosen charity. She worked the fund raising just like a business. She worked in food tents before there were food trucks. Weekends were spent selling popcorn, cotton candy, burgers, fries, steaks, and anything else patrons wanted to eat. All profits were then given to the Shriners. Consequently, Beulah had long weeks; five days as a childcare provider, a shop bookkeeper, and a volunteer fire dispatcher, followed by weekends of working in food sales. She truly had the spirit and heart of a servant! With all of these activities, Beulah was an ACTIVE member of the Ladies’ Shriners Auxiliary.

Beulah was an attentive mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her goal was to make sure her “babies” were loved and cared for. She strived to make sure everyone was happy and had everything they needed. She never forgot a birthday and always remembered everyone’s favorite dish. She served many a welcomed meal at her kitchen table.

Beulah served the First Baptist Church of Center her entire adult life. She attended all services throughout the week and taught Sunday School and Training Union. She was instrumental in advising the church when it decided it needed to start a day care center. It was her knowledge and experience that helped establish a successful platform for the Wee Learn Day Care Center.

Beulah served her community by helping “raise some of the best kids in Shelby County”. She started a private day care center in her home in 1962 when many young, working mothers began asking her to keep their children. She soon became known as Mama Hughes, and she was Mama Hughes until 1989 when she retired. Beulah once said, “They say everyone has a calling, and I guess mine has been to take care of children.” And Beulah took great care of all her children. She knew all the “tricks” in getting them to eat. One of the kids’ favorite practices was to push the back of a spoon down in a serving of mashed potatoes. That created a “bird’s nest” that would hold the gravy. Then the little one could eat from the bird’s nest.

Beulah truly had the heart of a servant. She continuously gave of herself, asking for nothing in return. She eagerly used her gifts to help others. Clearly, all have benefited from knowing Beulah Mae Hughes.

Beulah had three children: Walter, Mary Ann, and Stanton Thomas. She carried the grief of losing Walter in a childhood accident.

She is survived by:

Daughter, Mary Ann and her husband John

Son, Stanton Thomas and his wife Freddie

Grandson, Brian and his wife Jana and two children Missy and Rebecca

Granddaughter, Emily and her husband Mike and two children Mackenzie and Micheal

Granddaughter, Kayla and her husband Daniel and baby Natalie

Granddaughter, Chloe and her husband Tristan

Granddaughter, Katherine.

Niece, Peggy Monk, who helped care for her at home

Numerous nieces and nephews are left to cherish her memory.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Mrs. Hughes’ caregivers that sat with her and allowed her to remain in her home: Mary Byrnes, her friend and homecare supervisor; Doris Samuels, Dawn Green, Sonya Gulley, and JoAnn Dodson.

Pallbearers will be Brian Tatum, Mike West, Micheal West, John Monk, John Byrnes, and Mark Tidwell.

During Beulah’s final days, she was cared for by the nurse practitioners, nurses, and staff of Nacogdoches Medical Center. Their compassion and kindness surpassed every expectation, making the family very grateful.

Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfh.com





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