Mrs. Betty Sue (Derr) Barber Hughes

Betty Sue Derr Barber Hughes, lovingly known to many as “Queen Sue,” was born on March 23, 1931, in Quitman, Texas, and passed away on June 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family and caregivers. Her 94 years were filled with devotion, strength, and joy.

The youngest of eight children born to Roscoe Frank Derr and Nellie Mae Cox Derr, Sue grew up in a home with sibling bonds. Though her early years were marked by the loss of her mother, her older sister Frankie stepped in with unwavering love, shaping Sue’s young life and eventually guiding her into new experiences in Dallas—a place where Sue’s spirit and independence blossomed.

Sue cherished the simple things in life: the joy of dusting church pews for a nickel (and spending it on an ice cream cone), the excitement of discovering the world beyond her small hometown, and the warmth of family gathered close. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and began working in retail, but her greatest joys came from her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

In 1948, Sue married J.P. Barber after meeting him at East Dallas Baptist Church. Together they raised three children—Lynne, Phil, and Terry—with Sue enthusiastically involved as a room mother, Girl Scout leader, and VBS teacher. Later in life, she worked part-time as a secretary, delighting in her newfound freedom—especially her weekly beauty salon visits, where her hair was always perfectly coiffed.

After moving to Fort Worth in 1975, Sue and J.P. enjoyed many years with their growing family until his passing in 1995. Sue’s love and support for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren never wavered. She was a steady, joyful presence in their lives.

In 2002, Sue found love again with Virgil Hughes, whom she met on a trip to the El Dorado Casino. Their shared enthusiasm for casinos sparked countless adventures—and lots of stories about her winnings. Her humor and sparkle shone through in everything she did.

Sue was a devoted reader, especially of romance novels by Danielle Steel and Debbie Macomber, often leaving Barnes & Noble with a stack of least five new titles. She never lost her zest for life, her love of sweets (especially vanilla ice cream), or her fondness for playing cards and solving crossword and wordsearch puzzles.

Following a fall in 2020, Sue was no longer able to live independently, but that didn’t dim her spirit. In this chapter, her granddaughter Angie crowned her “Queen Sue”—a name that stuck and was embraced by everyone around her. She wore it with humor and pride, receiving the royal treatment with custom cups, bowls, and even a plaque. Her caregivers adored her and took special care in helping her feel every bit the queen she was.

Sue will be remembered for her elegance, her laugh, her fierce love for her family, and her ability to speak her mind with grace. Her radiant smile and twinkling eyes made everyone feel welcome and loved. The world is brighter for having had her in it—and a little dimmer now that she’s gone.

She is survived by her beloved children: Lynne Davis of Hewitt, TX; Philip Barber and wife Susan of Arlington, TX; and Terry Callaway and husband Gordon of Bedford, TX. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Shane Davis, Kelli Davis, Angela Amerson, and Philip Barber; and great-grandchildren: Courtney LeMere, Breana Amerson, Canyon Kafer, Aleyna Kettrey, Alyssa Barber, and Garrison Barber.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents and her seven siblings: Frankie Flournoy, Janice Highnote, Nuel Derr, Philip Derr, Guy Derr, Elton Derr, and Mary Nell Derr.

In honor of Queen Sue, the family invites you to celebrate her memory by making donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Friends of the Bedford Animal Shelter, or a charity of your choice.