Barbara Bullock Hughes

When describing the life of Barbara Hughes, one thinks of her dedication to her family and her life’s work enriching the lives of others following the guidance of her deep Christian faith.

Barbara Elaine Bullock Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida on July 5, 1941. Her parents were the late William Ellis Bullock of Media, Pennsylvania and Melcina Gerwick of East Liverpool, Ohio.

After a living for a brief time in Media, Pennsylvania, her family returned to St. Petersburg, Florida where Barbara lived until graduating Boca Ciega High School in 1959.

In 1960, she met Bernard (Bernie) Cushing as a student at Florida State University and after a whirlwind romance married in 1961. The following year that marriage produced a son, Michael Ellis. Upon finishing his Masters at FSU, Bernie and Barbara moved to his hometown of Tampa, Florida and settled down. In 1966, Mr. Cushing contracted cancer and passed away the following year.

Widowed with a young son, Barbara returned to the University of South Florida in Tampa and earned her degree in December 1967. During the summer months of 1967, Barbara was introduced by friends to Thomas (Tom) Hughes. After a speedy romance, the couple married in December 1967 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia.

The young family welcomed a new daughter, Deborah Elizabeth in 1969 and a second son, Thomas William in 1972. They baptized both children at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker and began their life of servant leadership by leading the youth group.

In April 1972, the family moved to Greenville, South Carolina. They joined John Knox Presbyterian Church and led the church youth group there as well.

At this time, Barbara began her lifelong career in education. She started her corporate career in 1974 by joining Spartanburg Technical College as Director of Continuing Education. In 1979, she took another position in education administration.

In 1982, the Hughes family began what became a 42 year membership at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church for Barbara. At that same time, Barbara decided to open a business in their new home of Dunwoody. She was the co-owner of Things Are Cooking, a retail kitchen supply and specialty food store located in Dunwoody Village. Eventually, Barbara sold her shares in Things are Cooking, and took a position in several of her husband’s entrepreneurial companies.

Barbara provided the administrative stability to make sure all employees were properly paid and motivated in moving the companies forward.

Tom and Barbara sold those companies in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s which started their philanthropic activities.

Barbara enjoyed her work at her church serving as Elder, Clerk of Session, and as a Board Member of the following organizations: Community Action Center, Los Niños Primero, Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, Kennesaw State University, and Alliance for Children Everywhere. All of these organizations were in keeping with her focus of improving the education of children both locally in Atlanta and globally in Africa. Barbara led over 25 mission trips to Lusaka, Zambia to support the schools and churches administered with Zambians by the Alliance for Children Everywhere.

Barbara is survived by her children, Michael Hughes (Lisa), Deborah Hughes Vance (Michael), and Thomas Hughes (Tracy); 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Sandra Bullock, and countless other family and friends.

The memorial service will be Saturday, October 19 at 2PM at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alliance for Children Everywhere (https://www.childreneverywhere.org).