Mrs. Dorothy Jessie Hughes

Dorothy Jessie Hughes was born on November 14, 1926, to J.B. “John” and Thelma Redmon in Columbus, OH. She was the eldest of two children. She married Oliver G. Hughes Sr. on May 12, 1946. Their union welcomed nine children. She departed this life peacefully at home on December 30, 2023, at the age of ninety-seven (97) years.

Dorothy was baptized at Union Grove Baptist Church as a young girl. She remained a member in good standing until her death. She was a woman of faith that believed in the power of prayer. It was her faith in God that allowed her to develop into the woman of strength and excellence that we have come to know and love. Affectionately known by her family, sister and husband as Dot. Her children as Mamma, her grandchildren as Grandma, her great grandchildren as Great Granny and Gate Gate Ganny by her great-great grandchildren as they were still working out their “R” sounds. People in the community called her Ms. Hughes, Mrs. Hughes, and Mother Hughes.

Dorothy was the Matriarch of the Hughes Family. She was a rare, unique and exceptional mother who often did without to ensure that her children had the things that she wanted them to have. She instilled a strong sense of family into her children. She often told them that there were too many of them for one to go without. Family unity was important to her. Equally important was the conviction that love must always prevail. She believed that “you can disagree, be upset, but you work it out and continue to love one another and support each other.” She never met a stranger and was a friend and confidant to many. If nothing else, she was an honest woman who spoke the truth in love. You didn’t ask her opinion if you didn’t want to hear the truth.

The same values she instilled in her family she brought into her community. She will be remembered as a pillar of the Lincoln Park Community, because she believed in helping people. Whether she knew you personally or heard about your situation, if she had it, you had it. She helped fundraise many community programs, events, and individuals over the years. If there was an event or a fundraiser going on you better believe she was going to sell the most tickets or collect the most donations just by picking up the phone. If she called you and you answered, you would be compelled to give her whatever she asked you to give. If you learned nothing else, you learned the importance of giving back to others. If she wasn’t collecting money for the cause she was cooking food to donate to the cause.

Her love for children was evident through her caretaking longevity. She “babysat” for children until she was 87 years old. She did not just watch the children in her care, she taught life lessons to each one of them, along with their ABC’s, 123’s, potty training and cleaning up after themselves. She taught them to be kind to others, and to take responsibility for their actions. If they were with her long enough, they learned the value of money management and how to save a little for a rainy day. The children that remained with her for a long time learned that actions have consequences, but second chances were just as important. We would all agree that she wasn’t babysitting, she was really investing in the lives of children in order that they would become the best versions of themselves that they could be.

She enjoyed traveling as a young girl and later with her husband. She participated in playing card games and taught her children and grandchildren how to play many games. She loved watching game shows. The Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy were her mainstays on television. Then when the Game Show Network came along, that channel became a favorite. A life well lived. A life that spanned nine decades and seven years. The stories she would share about topics throughout the years could fill a book. She often talked about riding the trolley’s downtown with her sister Bernice. She told stories about living in the Nightingale House during the time her parents were sick with Tuberculosis. When Barak Obama was elected President of the United States, she shared that she didn’t think she would live to see a Black President. She saw the COVID-19 Pandemic and the unprecedented school and business closures. So many memorable recipes from spaghetti, baked beans, sweet potato pie and 7 Up pound cake. She loved talking about her family and bragging about their accomplishments. Grandma’s house was the gathering place. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. Everyone gathered at her home on Christmas Eve to eat, fellowship and open presents. Everyone returned on Christmas Day for dinner. You never had to wonder if you were loved because everyone was treated as a favorite. Dorothy Jessie Hughes personified love within her home and the community. Her love, life and legacy will remain with each of us forever!

She was preceded in death by her Parents, J.B. and Thelma Redmon Wade. Husband, Oliver Hughes Sr.; Sister, Bernice Redmon; Sons, Oliver Hughes Jr., Christopher Hughes, and Keith Hughes Sr.; Daughters, Sharon Hughes, and Victoria Hughes. She leaves to cherish her memory, her children; Yvonne (Ceacle) Reed, Barbara Watson, Nancy (George) Jarrett and Dwight Hughes Sr. Grandchildren, Denise (David) Hughes-Curtis, Victor Watson Jr., Rhonda Hughes, David Dalton, Rhochelle (Antoine) Nelms, Samuel (Teonia) Hughes, Ta’Mika McCluney, Christopher (Janeen) Smith-Hughes, Christian Smith-Hughes, Allen (Camille) Jarrett, Keith Hughes Jr., Dwight (Yasumi) Hughes Jr., Robbyn Henton, Ishmael Martin and Deshawn Dalton. Twenty-five great- grandchildren and four great- great grandchildren. Special friends Marna Hale-Bailey and Lenora Forbes and, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Visitation 10:00 AM and Funeral Service 11:00 AM Friday, January 12, 2024 at Gospel Lighthouse, 600 Frebis Ave. Interment at Union Cemetery Association. Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to the Hughes Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com