Loretta Louise Hughes

Loretta Lowry Hughes, 92, of Austin, Texas passed away on April 11, 2025, at Brookdale Northwest Hills Senior Living. She was born September 16, 1932, in Winnsboro, Louisiana, the only daughter of Thomas Horace Lowry and Sue Rogers Lowry.

Loretta is survived by her children, Kristin Hughes Milliorn (husband Gary), Karen Hughes Vinson (husband Greg), and Richard Lowry Hughes (wife Tani), and four grandchildren, Alex Douglas Milliorn, Julia Schrift Hughes, Jacob Schrift Hughes, and Matthew Schrift Hughes.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Richard Bennett Hughes.

After graduating with a degree in Government from the University of Texas in 1951, Loretta worked at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. She and Richard married in 1958 and lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for a year while he was in seminary. They returned to Austin and raised three children while Loretta worked as a school librarian at Mathews Elementary School, T.A. Brown Elementary School, and Lanier High School.

She earned her master’s degree in library science and worked in AISD until her retirement in 1996. From reading books to young children to helping teenagers write research papers, her work as a librarian was fitting for a life-long learner who adored reading, theater, The New Yorker magazine, and the world of ideas. Along with friends from St. Edward’s University, she and her husband created a wonderful book group in the 1970s whose meetings always included interesting books, good wine, and lively conversation.

A memorial will held Saturday April 26th at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.