Mother Bennie Mae Hughes was born August 11, 1922 in Durns, Mississippi to Sam & Mary Murray (both preceded her in death). Bennie Mae was the second born of eight siblings. She was raised and educated in Mississippi where she met and married James Watt Hughes. She lived in Harlan, Kentucky prior to migrating to Saint Louis, MO with her family. She was the mother of eleven children: Christine “Chris,” Beneva “Honey,” William “Dub” (wife Clareece), Margie, Lonnie “Ray” (wife Denise), Barbara “Bo,” Willie “Joyce,” Kenneth, Michaela “Missy,” Ret “Cortez,” and Annetta “Net”. Mother Bennie Mae Hughes possessed a spirit of excellence, strength and dedication proven in her commitment to family and strong work ethic. She began as a young girl working the cotton fields of Mississippi. Her strength and endurance found her working even alongside the men. Her life’s work was divided between domestic services, southern cooking, and health care aide. Mother Hughes accepted Christ at a young age. In Saint Louis, Missouri she became deeply rooted and committed to being active in the Baptist Church. She united with New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of the Late Pastor Sam Williams, then Pastor Andrew Brown. Now currently under the watch care of Pastor Daimorrio C. Hubbard. During her tenure at New Jerusalem she served in many auxiliaries including various choirs, Women’s Ministry, Housekeeping, Usher and Mother’s Board. She was a consistent tither and cheerful offering giver. Mother Hughes was the epitome of the title and spirit of Mother. She mothered her own as well as any person in need she came in contact with. She opened her home to the orphaned, homeless, and even the blind. She was passionate about all in her community, and active in political and civil justice fights. She was a true disciple, in every life story and experience she gave all honor and glory to God for how He kept her “down through the years”. She anchored her family with unwavering faith, unconditional love and acceptance, down to earth talks, fervent prayer and individual intercession. Mother Hughes made heavenly transition on March 7, 2014. Preceded in death by her parents (Sam & Mary Murray), husband (J. W. Hughes), five siblings (Ethal, Clide, William, Bessie, & Cliff), four children (Kenneth, Margie, Annetta, & Barbara) two grandchildren (Kevin & Cortez), two great-great-grandchildren (Steven, Jr. & Isaiah), and lifelong best friend Lottie "Grandma Lottie" Jones. Mother Bennie Mae Hughes leaves to cherish her memory of strength, wisdom, longevity, humility, faith and Christian love: two sisters (Mary & Johnny McKentry), three sons, four daughters, twenty-eight grandchildren, fifty-five great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren; and a host of friends and extended family. Because Mother Bennie Mae Hughes existed 107 souls were born in the form of all of her children. We call her, "Blessed!"

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