Funeral services for Hester Hughes, 88, of Purcell were held Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Purcell. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
Mrs. Hughes passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Hester Lou Ellis was born February 8, 1933 in Spiro, Okla., the third of four children born to Olin B. Ellis and Zula Mae (Cariker) Ellis. Like many in that era, the Ellis family spent time between California and Oklahoma following work and raising their family. Hester graduated from Stigler High School in 1950.
She married young to Gerald St. Clair, and to this union, daughter Teresa was born in Union City, California. Gerald suddenly passed away in 1971, and Hester managed to pick herself up and keep going.
She later met a retired Navy man named Billy Joe Hughes, who was also originally from Oklahoma. They were a good match, and he cherished Hester and Teresa, so they made it official and were married in Reno, Nevada in May of 1974. They lived in Union City until 2001, when they all returned to live in Oklahoma and settled in Purcell.
Hester never stopped moving - a wonder woman of sorts. She was a true servant, and gave so much of herself to others. Volunteering was her passion, both as Manager of the Purcell Senior Center and at her church, Emmanuel Baptist. No matter the challenges of each day, she stayed busy taking care of others.
She was fun-loving and lighthearted and truly cared for people. She could talk to anyone about anything, and you walked away knowing it was genuine. Hester often joked that she had to keep going because “old people needed her” - even when she hurt, and even though she was older than many she helped. She was a wonderful mother to Teresa and the best grandmother to Dalton, Cheyne and Kobe. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Gerald St. Clair and Billy Joe Hughes; her parents, Olin and Zula Ellis; brother, Mitchell Ellis and sister, Helen June.
Hester is survived by her daughter, Teresa Bell and husband, Gary, of Blanchard; brother, O.B. Ellis and wife, Shirley, of Purcell; her pride and joy - her grandkids Dalton Wright, Cheyne Wright and Kobe Bell, and a host of other family and friends.
Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.
