Nellie was born in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, on July 25, 1922. She graduated from Midland High School. Nellie married Robert Elvis Hughes on February 7, 1942 at First Methodist Church in Midland.
Nellie and Elvis partnered with Jim and Mildred Horton and opened the Horton and Hughes Food Store in the early 1950's. In the 1960's and 1970's, Nellie and Elvis operated the Hughes Feed and Hardware Store at the corner of Florida and Dallas streets. Nellie later worked for Roger's Ford, then worked for West Texas Reproduction until she retired in the 1990's. She was a charter member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Midland, where she taught children's Sunday School. For many years, Nellie was the coordinator for the Asbury Fall Festival, which was held at the Midland County Exhibit Building every year. She is currently a member of the First United Methodist Church in Stanton, Texas. Nellie was also actively involved in the Rebekah Lodge, the Midland Gem and Mineral Society, and was a very successful turtle rancher. Nellie, along with her sisters, Lou and Lois, were avid bird watchers and competed for the first sighting on each excursion, keeping detailed records of each trip.
Nellie is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Elvis; sister, Lou Bliss and grandson, Terry Atwood.
She is survived by sister, Lois Augustson of Fort Worth, Texas; brother, J. B. Terry, Jr. of Ballinger, Texas; daughters, Dorothy Arp (Carl) of Houston, Texas and Shirley Scichilone of Carver, Massachusetts, and son, James Hughes (Karen) of Midland, Texas. She is also survived by grandchildren Gary Atwood, Robert Scichilone (Ron), Jason Scichilone (Nikki), Tracy Scichilone Fischer (Steve), Heather Hughes Gurule, Jennifer Hughes and Michael Hughes (Jenn); great-grandchildren Cody Atwood (April), Ryan Scichilone, Brooke Ann Scichilone, Chloe Fischer, Cora Seiffert, Samantha Hughes, and Madeline Hughes; great-great granddaughter, Bennett Atwood, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Ellis Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Stanton, Texas, with Pastor Charlie Stevens officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Michael Hughes, Gary Don Atwood, Cody Atwood, Mark Horton, and Jerry Don Cheshire.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Home Hospice of Midland, 200 W Illinois Ave, Ste. 190, Midland, Texas 79701, or First United Methodist Church of Stanton, P.O. Box 1193, Stanton, Texas 79782.
The Nellie Hughes family wishes to thank Home Hospice of Midland and her special caregivers, Glory Aquilar, Elizabeth Orona, and Tamire Long, who assisted her through her final days with loving kindness, laughter, respect and dignity.
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