Betty Lee Hughes

Mrs. Hughes graduated from McKenzie High School and received the Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Troy State University. Her professional career spanned 36 years in elementary education as a first-grade teacher, primarily in the Jefferson County, Alabama School System.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Bill G. Hughes, whom she married on December 21, 1951; her parents, Otto and Eva Lee; her sister, Evelyn Sirmon (Buck); her brother, Gene Lee (Christine); and son-in-law, Steven Lynch.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Hughes Lynch and Janet Hughes Norden (Thomas); grandchildren, Paul Lynch (Emily), Adam Lynch (Shavon), Lee Lynch, Rebekah Hill (D.J.), and Nathan Norden (Rachel); and great-grandchildren, Hughes Lynch, Gigi Lynch, and Carson Lynch.

Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and educator. She provided a loving home to her family and others who needed a safe place of refuge. Her home was filled with laughter and joy, mostly due to her selfless love and giving spirit. Even when she lost her husband, her joy never faded. After retirement she found a new avenue of creativity as a cottage business owner. She developed her own original recipes for gourmet fruit-flavored pepper jellies.

Betty truly had a heart for people and never met a stranger. She welcomed all with a smile on her face and arms wide open.

Betty’s greatest fans were her children and grandchildren to whom she imparted great love, support, and wisdom. She will be remembered fondly by the countless lives she touched as a teacher.

The most important thing in Betty’s life was her personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was always looking for opportunities to share her faith and the impact it had on her life. As a long-time member of Green Valley Baptist Church in Hoover, she also was one of the co-founders of the church’s on-going food bank ministry. She was a shining, positive light for His kingdom.

Visitation will be Friday, January 24, 2025, at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama from 1-2 p.m., followed by A Celebration of Betty's Life at 2 p.m. at the funeral home's chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Green Valley Baptist Church Food Bank, P.O. Box 36638, Hoover, AL 35236.