Barbara Yvonne Hughes

Barbara Yvonne Hughes passed away on October 19, 2016 in McKinney Texas. She was born on October 12, 1916 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Robert and Nina Harrington. After spending the first twelve years of her life in Battle Creek, she moved to Dallas Texas in 1928. Barbara graduated from N.R. Crozier Technical High School in 1933. A year later she and Virgil Woodrow (Sonny) Hughes were married. The young couple's first son Virgil William (Bill) Hughes was born in the middle of the Great Depression in 1935. Like most folks the young couple struggled to survive the remaining depression years. As our country became more involved in World War II both Barbara and Sonny joined the war effort by working at the "North American" defense plant building airplanes in Grand Prairie, Texas. Barbara could accurately be described as a great example of "Rosie the Riveteer" since her main responsibility was final inspection of the rivets that held the plane together. At the end of World War II, their second son Robert James (Bob) Hughes was born. When the war ended in 1945, Barbara began a 20 year career with a local food manufacturing and distribution company named "Dainty Maid" where she had many varied responsibilities, involving outside sales and customer service, supervision and management, and accounting work in the firm's office. After retiring from Dainty Maid, she started a second career in apartment management. During this period, she purchased a home in Garland Texas in 1972. After over 15 years in apartment management, she retired in 1984. No longer working, she then spent many hours with her friends from the Kimball church. Often she would make the 40-mile round trip from Garland to work in the church's food bank. While she enjoyed being involved, her two sons always knew that it was a time she cherished because she could spend time with some dear friends including Mary Turbyfil, Ophelia Huse, Edith Overall, and other ladies. Barbara was a great positive influence on many lives and will be greatly missed by all. When thinking of her life and influence words like her optimistic outlook, cheerful attitude, tremendous work ethic, and giving spirit can be used to describe a very special and beloved lady. Barbara is survived by two sons Bob and Bill Hughes, daughter-in-law, Veronica Hughes, four grandchildren, Michelle McCutcheon of Virginia Beach, VA, David Hughes of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Alyssa Black of Burlington, VT, Payce Jacobsen of Dallas, TX, and eight great, great grandchildren.