Lillie Mae Hughes

Lillie Mae (nee Bradley) Hughes was born to Elder Louis C. and Bernice Bradley on December 22, 1940 in Leland, MS. She died peacefully at home on April 26, 2023.

Lillie was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age. She joined Mt. Ebal Missionary Baptist Church as a young woman when the late Rev. T.H. Pinnick was pastor and founder. She was very active in her church and served for many years as a Mt. Ebal usher, usher board president, pastor’s aide, women’s choir member, Bible study teacher, VBS teacher and Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed organizing programs and speeches for the children, especially at Easter and Christmas. She was a big believer in helping others and was often picking up friends, church members and/or family for services.

Lillie met and fell in love with her husband, Woodrow “Woody” Hughes, while still in high school. They would later marry on October 5, 1965, and enjoyed life as a young couple by going to concerts, playing cards, and cooking out with family and friends.

Lillie began her career at St. Joseph Hospital, then Sunny Hill Nursing Home as a CNA and lastly, as a home health aide for the elderly. She worked as a home health aide until her health declined in 2003.

Lillie was an avid reader, writer, and amateur photographer. She enjoyed snapping pictures with cameras and sitting for professional family portraits. She also enjoyed cooking, learning new recipes, and sharing cooking/baking tips. She was infamous for her creamed corn and sweet potato pie.

Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, Elder Louis C. and Bernice Bradley; her brother, Albert Bradley; sister, Gloria (Ural) Hunter; brother, Charles (Lacie) Bradley; sister, Dorothy (Joel) Campbell Adams; and sister, Ernestine Woodson.

She left to cherish: her loving husband of 57 years, Woodrow W. Hughes Jr., or as she affectionately called him “Sugar Babe”; one son, Sean R. Hughes of Joliet, IL; two loving daughters, Regina Hughes of Lockport, IL; and Jacinda Hughes of Erwin, NC; two grandchildren, Amber and Aubrey Hughes; two great-granddaughters, Malia Lillie Hunt and Emmi Lue Irby, all of Mobile, AL; four sisters, Bernardine Bradley of Lynchburg, VA; Ruth (John) Baker of Urbana, IL; Wanda Campbell and Joanne Bradley-Crowder; and three brothers, Louis (Jeanette) Bradley Jr., Ivory Bradley, and Edward Bradley, all of Joliet, IL; an abundance of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Lillie was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She was funny, warm, caring, and always quick to encourage anyone with a kind word or a smile. You could always count on her advice to be based in the Word and followed with a specific scripture. Sister Lillie had a heart for Jesus, her family, and people. Her kindness, keen guidance, wisdom and wit will be missed by all who knew her. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lillie Mae Hughes, please visit our floral store.