Sarah Margaret Hughes

August 12, 1928 – May 28, 2014

Margaret, age 85, passed away on May 28 to enter her eternal heavenly home. She resided in Gardendale for most of her life. She graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School in 1947. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Judie Clayton; brother, E.M. (Bud) Clayton (Judy) and a sister, Willene Clayton Smith (Bill). She is survived by her husband of 67 years, E.W. (Junior) Hughes; daughter, Margaret Lynn Marsh (Van) of Hayden; grandchildren, Jimmy Marsh (Nakia) of Warrior, Jamie Marsh (Amie) of Hayden; great grandchildren, Austin Marsh, Kaitlyn Marsh, Chandler Marsh; sisters, Kathryn Walthall (John) and Vazelle Crawford (Norman); several nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.

Margaret and Junior were always hardworking people- they owned two successful businesses in Gardendale; The Western Auto Store and later Hughes Hardware Store. They were well respected in the community and people liked to do business with them. Later Margaret took a part-time position with Marino Associate Food Center in Birmingham, where she worked for over 30 years – the employees called her “Miss Margaret, the Boss!” She was well liked by the owner and the employees and they will miss her terribly.

Margaret and her husband were members of the Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church for more than 30 years. She loved to travel and she made several trips to the Holy Land and other areas of interest with her church family. She was very artistic and excelled in china painting, flower arrangement, home decorating, designing and sewing costumes for her church plays and skits. Margaret was involved in many functions of the church all of which she enjoyed. She will be missed and remembered for her many contributions to the church and her family. Her family and church were her two “special” loves.

A visitation will be held at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel, Friday, May 30, from 6:00 pm until 8:00pm, with a funeral service Saturday, May 31, at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Gardens.