Virginia Louise Hughes, 90, of Parkerfield, KS passed away Friday, May 17, 2019, at the Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita.
Funeral services have been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Parker Cemetery. Friends may greet the family 6-8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.
Virginia was born February 10, 1929, to Joseph and Edna (Abernathy) Sparks in Arkansas City. She was reared and educated in Arkansas City, graduating from Arkansas City High School in 1947.
On January 31, 1947, she married James Ivan Hughes in Bentonville, AR. Shortly after his return from WWII, the couple made their home and raised their family in Arkansas City. Virginia was a valued employee for over 18 years at F.W. Woolworth in Arkansas City where she supervised the music department. She enjoyed the 60’s and 70’s emergence of the Supremes, Temptations, The Beatles, and all of the hit music during the 70’s. This is where she developed her long lasting love of music and her later talent for singing. Later on in life she became a part of a local karaoke group entertaining at numerous events and senior citizen’s homes with Diane Keefe and her country singing group. Virginia’s favorite song was Mule Skinner Blues.
The oldest of 11 children, Virginia learned to become an accomplished cook and baker at an early age. She baked the most amazing angel food cake. She would always say, “There is a reason it’s called angel food kids, it’s so heavenly.”
Virginia also traveled over seas to Germany, France, and South America with her life long friend and cousin Betty Jo Yingling. It was in Germany where she toured the Stieff Bear Factory and that encouraged her to become an avid bear collector. Her collection includes over 400 stuffed bears. She also built her famous “Bear Tree” where every other Christmas she delighted her grandchildren with a 7 foot lighted bear tree.
Virginia realized early on and lived a life of say what you mean and stand behind what you say. During her later years she had numerous pets, but none more special than “Sugar” the yellow tabby cat, her BFF! Virginia would always say that pets bring out the best in people because they only know love and they are always there to comfort in times of sorrow and sadness. Rest in peace Mom, and go high on that mountain.
Survivors include her sons Gary Hughes and wife Peggy Summers of Hutchinson, KS; Danny Hughes and wife Theresa of Plano, TX; 3 grandchildren Geoffrey Hughes of The Colony, TX; Bryan Hughes and wife Tara of Plano, TX; Kelly Hughes and husband Brian of Dallas TX; 2 great-grandchildren Poppy Hughes of Plano, TX; and Paxton Gaines of Dallas, TX; siblings Dean Sparks of Ardmore, OK; Joseph Madison Sparks of Derby, KS; and Patty Ann Sivits of Burns, KS.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years James Ivan Hughes, also her brothers Leroy, Billy Joe, and Leon, along with sisters Joyce, Joann, Carolyn Sue, and Bonnie.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Cowley County Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory.