Iris Sparkes Hughes

On her eighteenth birthday, she attended a dance and met the love of her life, William (Bill) George Lawrence Hughes, who had also just turned eighteen on October 9th. The courtship began and didn’t end until September 11, 2010 when Bill passed away and left his love but, only for a short while.

Bill and Iris had two children, Gary William Hughes and Melanie Diane Hughes Theby and two grandsons, Shayne Scott Theby and Alexander Gary Keegan Hughes born only seven months apart.

On June 28, 1968, the Hughes family emigrated from England to America and originally settled in St. Louis, Missouri. Bill’s career would take them to Pennsylvania and finally to Texas. Iris’ career took her in several directions at first once in America. She tried her hand as a hairstylist/cosmetologist and secretary. But, she finally found her niche with Beneficial Finance/Household Finance which allowed her to transfer from state to state to follow Bill. She worked for Beneficial for over twenty five years.

In retirement, Bill and Iris moved to Florida twice. Iris loved Florida but both her and Bill missed their family and chose to move back to Texas. Iris loved fast cars and hard rock music! She was a wonderful cook and her family could always count on her to bring the homemade English Christmas Pudding!

She loved Christmas Eve services, making a “Proper English Garden” in all her homes, reading her Bible, art, politics, Aaron Rodgers, LeBron James and a good cup of tea.

She was proud of her family, especially her grandsons, Shayne and Alex. She was so excited to attend Alex’s graduation at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas in May, 2017. She had so much fun. She walked the whole campus on graduation day in high heels and a dress.

In August, she became ill and in true fashion, she faced it head on. She fought as hard and as long as she could, against insurmountable odds and, when she could not fight anymore, she told us good-bye and then she let go. The pain is gone and she is perfect once again.

As a family, we will miss her very much. But, we have so many stories and memories to keep us company now and we know we will see her again one day.

Night and Bless, Nee. We love you.