Jeanine Hughes

A celebration of life for Mrs. Jeanine Pugh Hughes, 86, of Tyler, Texas will be held at 11 a m. on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Lloyd James Funeral Home. Visitation will be prior to the service at 10 a.m. in the parlor. Ben Neeley will be officiating, under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

There will be a private gathering at the graveside following the service, where Jeanine will be laid to rest at Cathedral in the Pines.

Mrs. Hughes passed away October 5, 2025, in Tyler. She was born in Austin, Texas on July 21, 1939, to the late Jeff and Louise (White) Pugh. She attended West Erwin Church of Christ for over 50 years.

Some of her best memories were of her childhood years spent in Laredo, Texas. She was involved in pageants, parades, and dance recitals. After the family moved to Abilene in 1953, she attended Lincoln Junior High and graduated from Abilene High School in 1957. While in high school Jeanine met her future husband, Hillard Hughes, who was attending Abilene Christian College, on a blind date. They married in August of 1957 at University Church of Christ in Abilene.

While living in Abilene, Jeanine worked for Merchants Freight Lines as a secretary. Jeff, her father, was instrumental in the establishment of Merchant Freight Lines. She continued working at Merchants until the now growing family of 5, moved to El Paso, where Hillard became the youth minister for North Loop Church of Christ. Her ministry grew as she led the cradle roll class that introduced the littlest ones to their first lessons about Jesus. In 1970, the family of 6 moved to Tyler, Texas, where she worked alongside her husband as a youth minister’s wife. She continued her cradle roll ministry in Tyler, where she touched many precious lives. Jeanine’s gift of hospitality blessed many teenagers feeding them meals, providing a place to meet and learn what following Christ looks like.

During this period, she started her time as a teacher. Working at Lamplighter preschool, then Jones Elementary, and retired from Moore Middle School where she worked in the reading lab for many years.

Jeanine, loved to sew, read, cook, and travel. Her grandchildren felt that she created a magical place where they felt safe, warm, and loved.

Jeanine was preceded in death by her husband, Hillard Hughes, mother, and father.

Survivors include her brother Kirby Pugh and wife Sandy of the Woodlands; Children Kim Hughes Paschall, Laurie Dawkins and husband Wally, of Tyler, Shannon Hughes and wife Lisa, of Flint, and Trey Hughes and wife Janis, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Grandchildren Brady Dawkins and wife Darby, Dru Stine and husband Mike, Taylor Lemons and wife Natalie,Paige Loftin and husband Randall, Hannah Roble and husband Victor, Chaney Medley and husband Luke, Sophie Myers and husband Ian, Olivia Hughes, Emilee Busch and husband Jacob, Tara Hughes, Emily Adams and husband Jake, Sara Metzger and husband Karl; great-grandchildren Walter, Monroe, Michael, Benjamin, Nolan, Collin, Leah, Reese, Maggie, Benji, Oliver, Grayson, Sam, Nathan, Luke, Micah.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Lemons, Wally Dawkins, Brady Dawkins, Mike Stine, Randall Loftin.

We would like to thank the wonderful nurses and aides at Prestige Estates Memory Care, who lovingly took care of Jeanine.