Mary Elizabeth Hughes , of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was born on December 16, 1929, in Kenbridge, VA to the late John Henry and Elizabeth Boswell. Mary was the second oldest born to this union of seven girls. She was educated in Kenbridge, Virginia.

She was spoke upon as a mentor by her younger siblings.  In the 1950's, she set her sights on migrating to New Jersey for better opportunities.  Once she moved to New Jersey, she joined New Hope Baptist Church and became an usher.

Her first job in New Jersey was working for the Epstein Family as a housekeeper and domestic caregiver.  Mary left the Epstein's to work for RCA Corporation in Kearny, NJ making television parts.

Mary met her would-be husband Sumner Hughes in Weequahic Park, Newark, NJ.  They married on April 18, 1959.  Added to their happiness was baby boy Michael and a daughter, Sharon.  In 1968, they purchased a house and moved to Plainfield, NJ. Once the children started school, Mary picked up a new job working for Head Start Daycare, in Plainfield, NJ.  She moved on from Head Start to work for Burroughs Electronics making airplane accessories.  She retired from Burroughs after 22 years of service and later moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia in 1994.  After settling in Virginia, she joined the Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member of the Missionary Ministry and the Diaconate Ministry, serving as a deaconess.

Mary always provided support and love for her family. Sacrificing her needs for the good of her family, from helping her mother take care of her siblings at a young age to being caregiver to other family members as an adult.  As a homemaker, a wife and a mother, she will always be remembered for her strength, as well as being capable and tireless, always striving to make everything better.  She loved to dance, cook, decorate and entertain by holding family gatherings and cookouts.  If you ever had breakfast at "Aunt Mary's" house, she never forgot the fried apples, biscuits, eggs and meat.  She was also known for her sweet potato pies and potato salad.  She gave a home to her nieces, nephews and was blessed with an opportunity to be a mother figure to Vanessa Carter whom she raised to adulthood.

Mary Elizabeth Hughes exchanged time for eternity and picked up her wings on Thursday, May 12, 2022. She was 92 years old. She rests in heaven with her parents, siblings and their spouses: Bertha Watkins (Johnnie), Olivia Walker (Leonard), and Minnie Thompson (Horace).

Mary is survived by her husband, Sumner of 63 years; her children, Michael (Lana) and Sharon; her sisters, Ann Boswell, Louise Curry (Joe), Bessie Medley and Sarah Hauser; grandchildren, Ashley, Michele (Rob), Brianna, Derrell, Dominique, Ethan and Chloe; adoptive grandchildren, Jasmine and Joelle; great grandchildren, Christian, Ashton, and Paris; along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. The interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.