THOMSON, Ga. - Mrs. Julia Hughes, 86, beloved wife of Mr. D.C. Hughes, Jr. for 67 years, died Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at her residence on Dogwood Drive. Julia Ellen Hadden Hughes was born in Avera, GA on July 21, 1923 to Ernie and Sally Hadden. She was the valedictorian of Avera High School in 1939. She was married to D.C. Hughes on August 2, 1942. Mrs. Hughes later graduated from Georgia State College for Women with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and received her Masters and Reading Specialist degrees from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, she was an active member of Kappa Delta Pi, the honor society of Education. Mrs. Hughes was a gifted educator for 37 years, 21 of those as a classroom teacher. She then served as the Reading Consultant for five counties before becoming the Director of Elementary Instruction in the McDuffie County School system in 1971, where she remained until her retirement. Mrs. Hughes was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship in 1981 to study the school systems of India. She was a founding member of the local Alpha Theta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization of women educators. Mrs. Hughes was an active member of First Baptist Church Thomson where she taught the Fidelis Sunday School Class for many years. She was an integral part of the group that founded the Raysville mission, which is now Raysville Baptist Church. She also taught reading as part of the Adult Literacy Program of First Baptist Church.

Other survivors include her son, Carroll Hughes (Linda), her daughter Kay Williams (Ken), six grandchildren, Matt Hughes (Jackie), Josh Hughes (Ginger), and Katie Hughes Anthony (Jeremy), John Williams, Michael Williams (Caroline), and David Williams; two sisters, Corrie Hawkins of Huntsville, AL, and Betty Hadden of Gibson, GA. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Mary Bell, B.J., Elizabeth Lowe, Cheryl Hill, Barbara Moss, and Lottie Jordan for their devoted care to Mrs. Hughes. Their genuine love and compassion for her transcended their assigned duties.