Mary L. Hughes

Mary Palmer Hughes, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and devoted follower of Christ, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 11, 2024, at the age of 75. Born on April 14, 1949, in Gloster, MS, she was the daughter of the late Anderson Palmer, Jr and Mattie Brown Palmer. Mary attended Big Antioch Baptist Church, under the leadership of Johnny Powell, where she first entered her Christian Walk. She graduated from Amite County Training School in 1967, where she cultivated lifelong friendships and developed the strong values that guided her throughout her life.

On August 19, 1967, Mary and the late Grant Veals, Jr. were united in holy matrimony. To this union three children were born, Deborah, Kelvin, and Pamela. In August 1983, Mary married Robert Sidney Hughes, to this union one child was born, Kenneth.

Mary was a dedicated member of Loving Word Fellowship Church (formerly St Stephen’s Baptist Church) under the leadership of the late Reverend MD Smith and currently Pastor Paul D. Landrew, where she actively served for many years in the “Voices of Inspiration” Choir. Her faith in God was the cornerstone of her life, and she exemplified Christ’s love through her acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others.

Mary was an elite seamstress and worked at numerous sewing/embroidery companies. However, the most noted was her career at Koza’s which started in 1992, starting as an embroidery worker and eventually advancing to supervisor, where she excelled in her role and special projects. Her colleagues admired her for her work ethic, leadership, and the kindness she extended to everyone. She continued to work at Koza’s until she became ill in early 2023.

She is survived by: her children, Deborah Veals-Vann (Cedric), Kelvin Veals, Sr. (Jennifer), Pamela Veals Vann, Kenneth Hughes; grandchildren, Kelvin Veals, Jr., Keleen Veals, JaQurria Veals, Brenden Vann, JaLeisha Veals, Latavia Jones, Braylon Hughes, Zoi Hughes, Bryce Vann, Cayden Franklin, and Kennedy Hughes; brothers, Leroy Longmire (Mary) and Robert Palmer, Sr. (Rebecca) of Baton Rouge, LA; sisters, Betty Tensley and Ethel Smart of Houston, TX; six great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews,  and numerous friends

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anderson Palmer, Jr and Mattie Brown Palmer Jackson; siblings, Charlie Butler, John Longmire, Ardell Longmire, Anderson Palmer III, Mae Palmer, and Clydell Palmer. Her legacy of love and faith will live on in the hearts of her family and all who were blessed to know her.

To Those Whom I Love & Those Who Love Me I thank you for the love that you have shown, but now it is time I travelled on alone. So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It is only for a while that we must part, so treasure the memories within your heart.