Dorthy Faye Hughes

Dorthy Faye Hughes was mercifully called home to be with Christ her Savior on Saturday November 8th, 2014, the very same day that her loving husband of 68 years, Richard Wayne Hughes was being laid to rest. The family received word that Dorthy had left this world just a few minutes after the Hughes family finished saying goodbye at graveside services in the hometown of Frederick, Oklahoma, for her beloved husband Mr. Hughes. Dorthy, who passed into Paradise while hospitalized at Pauls Valley General Hospital, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, had suffered the tragedy of Alzheimer's disease for the past seven years, and was ultimately released, going peacefully in her sleep, to be with her loving husband in the presence of Christ. She was born June 6, 1925, near Sanger, Texas, to Ruby Lee Jones Tarver and Lucius Eugene Tarver. She accepted Christ as her Savior shortly after her marriage to Wayne, and told her family later she was so moved by the concept of Christ's grace, that He loved her and she didn't have to do anything to deserve his love. She remained devoted to her Savior her entire life, a living example to her children and all who knew her. The family rests assured that the Lord in his mercy allowed Dorthy to join her husband in Heaven, releasing her from the disease that had caused her so much anguish. In spite of the sadness of this double loss, the knowledge that this devoted couple are together again provides much solace and peace. Dorthy graduated from Sanger High School, Sanger Texas, at the young age of 15. Always an excellent student, she was allowed to skip grades to accomplish early graduation. She was accepted into Durham Business College, Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated with her diploma, after working to pay her own tuition by installments, in May of 1942, at the age of 16, turning 17 the next month. She then worked for the United States Government in one of the federal offices in Fort Worth during part of World War II. While living in Fort Worth with her girlfriend roommates, she met Wayne Hughes. They began dating, and after his return from his Army Air Corps service in India, they married on June 28, 1946, beginning a love story that continues as an example for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. After their marriage and after brief residences in Wichita Falls and Pampa, Texas, during which time Dorthy and Wayne's three children were born, the family moved with their young family to Frederick, Oklahoma, after their purchase of Clyde Irwin's jewelry store on West Grand Avenue. They knew of Frederick because Wayne's parents, Rev and Mrs. A.E. Hughes, were at that time serving as pastor at Bethel Baptist Church west of Frederick. Dorthy is lovingly remembered as devoted to family - teaching by example as well as words. She was a somewhat shy lady, a person of character and integrity She was a quiet servant and friend not only to her three children but to others - doing many kind deeds for others with no need for praise. She kept a handwritten note in her Bible that read: " my three greatest treasures: accepting Christ as my Savior, a loving husband and three wonderful children, a few good friends." Dorthy was a remarkably talented person in so many areas, especially in the beautiful garments and gifts she sewed for herself and as gifts for family and friends. She created her daughters and her daughter in laws wedding gowns, daughter's prom dresses, full college wardrobes, wedding trousseaus and so much more. After grandchildren came, she made countless dresses and outfits for these new loves in her life. She was very artistic and creative, and meticulous in her beautiful creations. Dorthy was also known for her love of quilts, vintage embroidered linens, antique furniture and garage sale finds. She loved to frequent Vernis Smith's shop on East Gladstone and found many treasures there which she or Mr. Smith restored to their former glory. Both of her daughters inherited the 'antiques, quilts and linens gene' and have extensive collections of their own. She was a servant leader at First Baptist Church of Frederick for many years, teaching first and second grade Sunday school. The family remembers very well their mother sitting up on Saturday night and planning the lesson and the crafts for Sunday school the next day for her first and second graders. Dorthy worked alongside her husband in the newly renamed Hughes Jewelry for most of the 55 years they owned and operated the store, working tirelessly and succeeding in hers and Wayne's goal of providing a higher education for each of their children, and leaving an inheritance for their children and grandchildren. Dorthy and Wayne helped many brides and grooms pick out engagement and wedding bands, helped brides and grooms with their bridal registries of China, Crystal, silver and more etc. Dorthy lost count of the thousands of shower gifts she wrapped for display at local Frederick and surrounding area wedding showers over the many years. Students at FHS for many years knew that Hughes Jewelry was the place to order their class rings, and everyone shopped there for their charms and charm bracelets. Christmas Season and Christmas Eve in particular was well known in the Hughes family as the busiest time of the year, as Dorthy and Wayne worked long hours serving the community with last minute Christmas gifts. Dorthy wrapped and packaged them beautifully, then returned home to three children waiting for Santa Claus and a full Christmas Dinner! Dorthy was devoted and tireless through it all. She annually shopped the jewelry and gift market at Market Hall in Dallas with Wayne, providing Frederick with the finest in jewelry, watches, fine china, silver, crystal and more, because of her good taste. Only the finest items were sold in Hughes Jewelry. She always looked like a million bucks, generally in classically styled garments she had sewn for herself, rivaling anything available readymade. . She was known for her striking beauty, inside and out. Her children and grandchildren remember her as extremely strong, character-filled, a fighter during difficult times, loving, gentle, kind, courageous, talented, a little bit shy, funny, happy, smiling, laughing, never selfish, and deeply committed above all else to their wellbeing and to their father, Wayne Hughes. She loved to travel with Wayne in their Cessna and Piper aircrafts all over the USA, enjoying many trips over the years with family and friends. She weathered many health issues over her last 25 years on earth. Her family are in awe of the strength, fighting spirit of survival and love of their dear mother Dorthy, and celebrate her courage and the heart-rending, amazing love story that defined their parents for over 68 years. In addition to her husband Wayne, Dorthy was preceded in death by her parents; by her sister Polly Burns; her brother Eugene Tarver, by her dear sister in law Faye Hughes Van Sickle, and by a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. She is survived by two daughters: Elaine Kennedy and husband Richard, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, and Paula Carpenter and husband Paul, of Frederick, Oklahoma; a son: Randy Hughes and wife Margaret, of Noble, Oklahoma; Elaine and Richard's children: Angela Palmer (Stephen), of Bethany, OK, and their children: Katy, Carson, Caleb, Kennedy; Brad Kennedy (Marlene), of Dallas, TX, and their children: Taylor & Grayson; David Kennedy (Shaunna), of Celina, TX, and their children: Parker & Cooper; Paula and Paul's children: Tiffany Schwedland (Haydn), of Austin, TX, their children: Kai & Jet; Tracy Wade (Conner), of Dallas, TX, and their children: Lincoln & Havily; Randy and Margaret's children: Ariel Keith (Jonah) of New York, and their children: Timothy, Titus, Hiram, Ezra, Esther; Uriah Hughes (Ashley) of Norman, OK, and their children: Jonathan & Jessica; Caleb Hughes (Erin) of Maine, and their children: Ethan, Liam, Clara; Brianna Roswurm (Seth); and Zachariah and Abigail of Randy's home.