Mrs. Essie Elna Hubbard Hughes, age 85 of Patrick Springs, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Stuart Community Hospital. She was born in Patrick County on October 26, 1940, to the late Walter Ethan Hubbard and Mattie Elizabeth Agee Hubbard. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hughes was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Ernest Garland Hughes; an infant son; two sisters, Janie Brammer and India Williams; and five brothers, Clayton, Harlie, Wayne, Melvin “Pete”, and Earnest Hubbard. She was a member of Critz Baptist Church, where she served in many capacities, and enjoyed missionary work. She was a graduate of Meadows of Dan High School and had retired from First National Bank with 40 years of service. Essie was a devoted community member who generously gave her time volunteering with Patrick Springs Park and Recreation, where she also served as president. She contributed her leadership and passion to several organizations, including the board of directors for R.J. Reynolds Memorial Hospital, the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, and as treasurer for the JEB Stuart Rescue Squad. In May 1990, she was honored as Mother of the Year by the Patrick Springs Ruritan Club. Essie found great joy in traveling and treasured moments spent with her grandchildren and family, who were most dear to her heart. Her proudest accomplishments were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will carry forward her legacy of kindness and dedication.
Mrs. Hughes is survived by a daughter, Kathy Dalton (Gary) of Stuart; a son, Perry Hughes (Dianne) of Stuart; five grandchildren, Corey Meador (Brad) of Vinton, Sarah Sawyers (Justin) of Brentwood, Tennessee, Erica Nowlin (Chris) of Summerfield, North Carolina, Kara Pilson (Elliot) of Stuart, and Morgan Morrison (Preston) of Stuart, Virginia; and eight great-grandchildren, Cale Meador, Jace Meador, Emmett Nowlin, Elizabeth Sawyers, Jacob Sawyers, Wesley Pilson, Wyatt Pilson and Archer Morrison.
A funeral service for Mrs. Hughes will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Critz Baptist Church with Pastor Michael Morrison and Pastor Allan Vass officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Critz Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 99, Critz, Virginia 24082, or to Conners View Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Barry Fain, 459 Woodland Drive, Stuart, Virginia 24171. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart has been entrusted with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
