Dorothy Jessie Hughes was born on November 14, 1926, to J.B. “John” and Thelma Redmon in Columbus, OH. She was the eldest of two children. She married Oliver G. Hughes Sr. on May 12, 1946. Their union welcomed nine children. She departed this life peacefully at home on December 30, 2023, at the age of ninety-seven (97) years.
Dorothy was baptized at Union Grove Baptist Church as a young girl. She remained a member in good standing until her death. She was a woman of faith that believed in the power of prayer. It was her faith in God that allowed her to develop into the woman of strength and excellence that we have come to know and love. Affectionately known by her family, sister and husband as Dot. Her children as Mamma, her grandchildren as Grandma, her great grandchildren as Great Granny and Gate Gate Ganny by her great-great grandchildren as they were still working out their “R” sounds. People in the community called her Ms. Hughes, Mrs. Hughes, and Mother Hughes.
Dorothy was the Matriarch of the Hughes Family. She was a rare, unique and exceptional mother who often did without to ensure that her children had the things that she wanted them to have. She instilled a strong sense of family into her children. She often told them that there were too many of them for one to go without. Family unity was important to her. Equally important was the conviction that love must always prevail. She believed that “you can disagree, be upset, but you work it out and continue to love one another and support each other.” She never met a stranger and was a friend and confidant to many. If nothing else, she was an honest woman who spoke the truth in love. You didn’t ask her opinion if you didn’t want to hear the truth.
The same values she instilled in her family she brought into her community. She will be remembered as a pillar of the Lincoln Park Community, because she believed in helping people. Whether she knew you personally or heard about your situation, if she had it, you had it. She helped fundraise many community programs, events, and individuals over the years. If there was an event or a fundraiser going on you better believe she was going to sell the most tickets or collect the most donations just by picking up the phone. If she called you and you answered, you would be compelled to give her whatever she asked you to give. If you learned nothing else, you learned the importance of giving back to others. If she wasn’t collecting money for the cause she was cooking food to donate to the cause.
Her love for children was evident through her caretaking longevity. She “babysat” for children until she was 87 years old. She did not just watch the children in her care, she taught life lessons to each one of them, along with their ABC’s, 123’s, potty training and cleaning up after themselves. She taught them to be kind to others, and to take responsibility for their actions. If they were with her long enough, they learned the value of money management and how to save a little for a rainy day. The children that remained with her for a long time learned that actions have consequences, but second chances were just as important. We would all agree that she wasn’t babysitting, she was really investing in the lives of children in order that they would become the best versions of themselves that they could be.
She enjoyed traveling as a young girl and later with her husband. She participated in playing card games and taught her children and grandchildren how to play many games. She loved watching game shows. The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy were her mainstays on television. Then when the Game Show Network came along, that channel became a favorite. A life well lived. A life that spanned nine decades and seven years. The stories she would share about topics throughout the years could fill a book. She often talked about riding the trolley’s downtown with her sister Bernice. She told stories about living in the Nightingale House during the time her parents were sick with Tuberculosis. When Barak Obama was elected President of the United States, she shared that she didn’t think she would live to see a Black President. She saw the COVID-19 Pandemic and the unprecedented school and business closures. So many memorable recipes from spaghetti, baked beans, sweet potato pie and 7 Up pound cake. She loved talking about her family and bragging about their accomplishments. Grandma’s house was the gathering place. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. Everyone gathered at her home on Christmas Eve to eat, fellowship and open presents. Everyone returned on Christmas Day for dinner. You never had to wonder if you were loved because everyone was treated as a favorite. Dorothy Jessie Hughes personified love within her home and the community. Her love, life and legacy will remain with each of us forever!
She was preceded in death by her Parents, J.B. and Thelma Redmon Wade. Husband, Oliver Hughes Sr.; Sister, Bernice Redmon; Sons, Oliver Hughes Jr., Christopher Hughes, and Keith Hughes Sr.; Daughters, Sharon Hughes, and Victoria Hughes. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Yvonne (Ceacle) Reed, Barbara Watson, Nancy (George) Jarrett and Dwight Hughes Sr. Grandchildren, Denise (David) Hughes-Curtis, Victor Watson Jr., Rhonda Hughes, David Dalton, Rhochelle (Antoine) Nelms, Samuel (Teonia) Hughes, Ta’Mika McCluney, Christopher (Janeen) Smith-Hughes, Christian Smith-Hughes, Allen (Camille) Jarrett, Keith Hughes Jr., Dwight (Yasumi) Hughes Jr., Robbyn Henton, Ishmael Martin and Deshawn Dalton. Twenty-five great- grandchildren and four great- great grandchildren. Special friends Marna Hale-Bailey and Lenora Forbes and, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, January 12, 2024 at Gospel Lighthouse, 600 Frebis Ave. Interment at Union Cemetery Association. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to the Hughes Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com
Denise we are so sorry for your loss may the God of all comfort and tender mercies gather you and yours into his arms.
Denise,
Sending prayer and love to you and your family during this time. May God allow you to find peace and understanding.
Dear Denise,
You and your family are in my prayers. I am so sorry for the loss of your grandmother. You all have my deepest condolences. Please let me know if you need anything.
Eudora Bryant
Union Vice President
Chapter 2508
Barbara Watson and Family: We and our loved ones can rejoice, knowing that there will be no more loss, tears, or parting. LORD we thank you for your comfort in times of sadness. You alone have overcome our earthly losses, knowing that our heavenly home is eternal.
I will continue to pray for your family Barbara.
Barbara Watson and family.
We are so very sorry for your loss I have very fond memories of your mother, she was a guiding light in my life.
I am so sorry for your loss. Dorothy (aka: Grandma Hughes) provided good loving care for several years for my boys when they were little. She touched so many children’s lives. There’s a joyous reunion in heaven now.
My prayers are with you.
Denise,
You will miss your grandmother but the memories of her will last with you forever. I’ve heard you talk about how family oriented she was. You are blessed to have had her in your life and to love you like she did. My condolences to you and your family and praying for you all. .
Denise
I wish I had the words to express how sad I am for you to lose someone you have seen so often and shared so much with. Many thoughts are with you and especially during the viewing and funeral. I wish I was well enough to be there.
Prayers for the Hughes family!
Sending prayers of comfort and condolences to the Hughes family, may God continue to Bless and strengthen you during this difficult time. Grandma will always be loved and missed especially for her words of guidance and encouragement. Remember God will never bring you to a bridge that he can’t help you cross, love and hugs to the family ❤️❤️
Denise,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of Grandma(Mrs. Hughes). I personally had the pleasure of having her raise me(Binky) and my sister(Jackie). During our time in Lincoln Park, Grandma taught us(THE COMMUNITY), how to read, write, etc… She will definitely be missed by all of us.
Not Momma Hughes! I was truly an anchor to the Lincoln Park community, and I was one of many that she (and/or Nancy) would babysit when my parents — Carolyn Love & Stan Straughter — work schedules would overlap. While it was more than more than 50 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. May Momma Hughes’ family accept my condolences.
Sending my deepest condolences to your family. May God give you peace and comfort during your time of sorrow. Love Cassandra Hughes-Powell
Barbara Watson I am sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother may God comfort You and your family doing This Time of sadness
We are praying and thinking of you Nancy and family.
Barbara, Vic, Dechard, De’Amber, and the entire Hughes family, this is a beautiful tribute for an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing her life and experience. I am sending love and condolences.
Vanya
We send our thoughts, condolences, and prayers to both Mr. Hughes and the family during this difficult time.
Christopher III and Elaine Hughes
To: The Hughes Family,
We send our deepest condolences to the family for your loss. Aunt Dorothy will always be in our hearts.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)
With love,
Chris & Elaine
Condolences to the entire Hughes family. Whomever wrote this obituary perfectly captured Miss Hughes life in words and I thank you for taking me down memory lane. Miss Hughes was a gentle soul with very loud, loving intentions, a protector, a teacher, and a pillar of our childhood community. She will be missed.
May the Lord continue to watch over your family as you celebrate the homegoing of Mrs. Hughes. Her legacy in Lincoln Park will always be reverent.
The PEACE and REEVES Family
My thoughts and prayers are with the Hughes family today. Ms. Dorothy has always been amazing in my eyes. She accepted me into her family and I love you all. She will be missed. She touched alot of peoples lives in a positive way and showed me what a great family dynamic looks like….I will forever be grateful for that lesson.
Barbara so sorry to hear about your mom I’ll keep you and your family in prayers you are a good and faithful daughter love Darla
To The Hughes Family : so sorry to hear about Mother Hughes a wonderful woman who was there for so long ago when we lost our Mother helped us to remain strong I will always cherish her Memories Love to you all Marilynn-Ervin Edwards.
Mrs. Hughes. I used to always go over to your house. I didn’t know you were watching me. I know I loved to play with Vicki. I remember you telling us in the summer to go our other stay in . Rest In Power.
Marsha
May God be with you, my dear friend, Mrs. Dorothy Hughes. You were a second mother to me. I don’t know how I would have made it with my new baby without you. May you rest in peace and rise in glory!
To Barbara Watson, Denise, Dwight, and the entire Hughes family: please accept our deal condolences on the passing of the wonderful Mrs. Dorothy Hughes. Mrs. Hughes was my babysitter when I was a baby, and when I was a toddler who struggled having accidents, she proudly potty trained me. My father would pick me up and be unable to resist a plate of greens, ham, chicken, or whatever delicious meal she always seemed to be preparing. She taught me some of my best recipes for baking. I have fond memories playing with her grandchildren and the other kids in her house when I was a boy. It saddens me that I eventually relocated to Atlanta and did not get to see her much in my later years. I am not married with children of my own, and I’ve told them how wonderful Mrs. Hughes was. You were a treasure and you will be missed. Love the Pace and Hale families.