ISLAND, Ky. — Barbara J. Hughes, 89, of Island, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Heatford House in Owensboro, Kentucky. Barbara June Sutherlin was born Sept. 1, 1934, in Livermore, Kentucky, to the late Alvie Carter and Fannie Lee Bratcher Sutherlin and was married to Gerald Ray Hughes.
Barbara’s life was a testament to her strength, kindness, and unwavering commitment to her loved ones.
Barbara’s professional life was marked by her dedicated service as an employee at General Electric in Madisonville, Kentucky, from which she retired after many years of commitment. Her work ethic and friendship with her colleagues were hallmarks of her career, and she left behind a legacy of excellence and diligence.
Well-known for her green thumb, Barbara once found great joy in nurturing her flowers and maintaining her yard. Her garden was not just a collection of plants, but a canvas of vibrant colors and life, mirroring her own vivacious spirit. As the seasons of life changed, Barbara discovered a new passion in the quiet corners of word finds and crossword puzzles, where she would spend hours engaging her mind and unwinding from the day’s activities.
A member of Buttonsberry Baptist Church, Barbara’s faith was a cornerstone of her life. Her commitment to her church community was shown in her participation and the relationships she fostered there.
Barbara’s life was one of warmth, generosity, and laughter. She possessed the rare ability to light up a room with her presence and to comfort those in need with her gentle words and kind embrace. Her legacy is not only in the bloodline she leaves behind but also in the countless lives she touched with her compassion and unwavering positivity. Barbara’s memory will continue to live in the hearts of her family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Gerald Hughes, who died Nov. 22, 1997; by her daughter, Pam Hughes; by a granddaughter, Beth Widner; by two sisters, Deborah Carpenter and Sharon Simpson; and by her brother, William Gene Sutherlin.
Barbara is survived by two sons, Lou Hughes (Marita) of Hartford, Kentucky, and Jerry Hughes (Vicki) of Island; 5 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Marie Frizzell, of Calhoun, Kentucky.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Muster Funeral Homes, Livermore Chapel. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Livermore, Kentucky. Friends may visit with Barbara’s family from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at Musters in Livermore.
The Barbara J. Hughes family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Oak Hill Cemetery, Perpetual Care Fund; C/O Independence Bank; P.O. Box 39; Livermore, Kentucky 42352.
Barbara’s services will be streamed live on musterfuneralhomes.com at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Share your memories and photos of Barbara at musterfuneralhomes.com.