Even the coveted title of Great Great Grandma doesn't hold a match to how truly GREAT Lois Ann Hughes was to all whom she encountered. Lois Ann Hughes or aptly known as "Grandma", 80, was truly an angel that walked this earth. Grandma left this earth to join the Good Lord at His request on Sunday June 20, 2021. Let's face it, considering the clientele this family has sent him over the last 10 years, The Lord is sure to have needed some help! Only Grandma can help to quell the wild bunch that we know and love, and she will undoubtedly be met with the warmest and grandest of Heavenly receptions. The rest of us that wait to join her eternally can now look forward to join her in "Grandma's new house" where we are sure to be met with her famous chicken pot pie, pulled pork BBQ, potato salad, fried fish dinner with her trademark tartar sauce, gushingly good goulash, and her magical peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the finest white bread that money can buy!

Grandma was born on May 4th, 1941 in Kilmarnock, VA and raised in part by our loving "Nanny". Grandma and Nanny found their way to Hampton, VA where Grandma would meet the love of her life Howard Hughes, aptly known as "Granddaddy", at the age of 13. They would wed when she was 16, and they would introduce twins Julie and Dolores to the world in April of 1958. David would join the party in August of 1959, and the baby of the bunch Cathy would arrive in July of 1960. Grandma's fondest memories were often described as those made alongside Granddaddy as they took the kids to drive-in movies where they would indulge in cold glass bottles of Pepsi, and visiting the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park. Grandma also acted as a Girl Scout leader in the 1960s. She demonstrated a notable talent for sewing, crafting draperies, and perhaps most important of all, exuding a love and kindness towards her family and friends that was unwavering. Grandma's beauty and grace was something to be proud of, and it brought joy to her children's hearts when she could join them for field trips and other school events.

The grandkids, great grandkids, and great great grandkids would get in good with Grandma, and enjoy her offerings of love and food! With a pile of Granddaughters and a pile of Grandsons, her days were busy doing all of the "Grandma things" that made her a loving Grandma. She would never deny a request for fried eggs and potatoes, or turn down an opportunity to make eight peanut butter and jellies at a time (two each for TJ, Troy, Jeffrey, and Jeremy). Troy would often eek out a ninth one from her :) While she was proud to feed her grandbabies, she was also not afraid to keep them in line and remind them of how she just scrubbed the kitchen floor on her "hands and knees", and that we needed to "stay in or out!"

Grandma's kitchen table was a fine meeting place for her magical meals, America's Funniest Home Videos, Family Matters, and an assortment of the most depressing country songs that have ever been played through speakers. She was quick to let us know that the part was coming up "that will make you cry every time" or get excited and crank up the volume and say, "Oooohhh, this is when he kills his wife!" Her table was also a place where many toasts would be toasted. There was enough Milwaukee's Best drank at her table to float a battleship. Grandma's palate would grow more sophisticated and she would later begin to enjoy the "Ice" variety of Milwaukee's Best; and ice cold is how she would enjoy it :)

Grandma was the cornerstone of our large family. She spent so much time ensuring everyone else's comfort and well being, and never put herself before her family and dear friends. Grandma's love, compassion, and kindness will live on through the countless fond memories built by time spent at "Grandma's house". Her passing is extremely difficult for all of us, yet we should find peace in that she may now rest comfortably in Heaven and enjoy some peace of her own. Those that we have lost too soon before her can now enjoy some time with our matriarch. Let us be good and kind to each other and everyone, just as Grandma was to all. If everyone could love as Grandma did, then this world would be a better place. Grandma, we love you and we thank you for your love and blessings! We will miss you terribly, but also look forward to sharing a heavenly meal with you when it is time. I call dibs on a peanut butter and jelly :)