Mrs. Nell Kirkley Hughes passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Hillcrest Nursing Center. Mrs. Hughes was a lifelong resident of Magee, Mississippi and the only child of John and Susie Kirkley. She married Nathan Hughes on November 13, 1952, and they were married for 55 years.
On their farm just outside of Magee, they raised cattle, poultry and timber throughout their lives while working tirelessly to promote agriculture and conservation through organizations such as Farm Bureau and Soil and Water Conservation. They were actively involved in both organizations on a local, county, state, and national level for over 50 years. Nell served as a commissioner on the Simpson County Board of Soil and Water Conservation, where she was instrumental in helping Simpson County qualify for increasing the county’s accreditation. She helped to implement the national Grandparents for Conservation Program. Nell also served as chairman of the Simpson County Women’s Auxiliary. Throughout the years, Nell’s tireless dedication was recognized by the state of Mississippi and by the National Soil and Water Conservation Association. In 2018, Nell was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts Southeast Region Hall of Fame in Williamsburg, Virginia, and has been the only female from Mississippi to ever be inducted.
Nell was a lifelong active member of Pine Grove Baptist Church. She was well known throughout the community for her strong faith and willingness to always help others. Many of those who loved her sought her advice in difficult times and she always freely had an open ear to listen to their problems and help advise them.
Nell opened Hughes Florist in the 1960s and operated it for over 20 years and served on the Mississippi Florist and Nurseryman’s Association Board of Directors. Customers loved her creativity and open door to “sit on the stool in the back and discuss whatever was on their mind.” In the florist business, one sees people at some of their highest points and at some of the most difficult times in their lives. It was during those times that Nell would share her faith and love to make those difficult times less painful for those she served.
Nell is survived by two sons, Joey Hughes (Gretchen) of Magee and Andy Hughes (Elizabeth) of Madison, AL; daughter- in-love, Janna Hughes of Pearl, MS; grandson, Wesley Hughes (Jennifer); three granddaughters, Emily Bosse (Garrett) of Madison, AL, Anna Hughes of Harvest, AL and Abby Lewis (Dillon) of Rose Hill, MS; four great-granddaughters, Brooke, Cate and Elin Hughes of Oxford, MS, and Allison Bosse of Huntsville; three great-grandsons, Nathan and Andrew Bosse of Huntsville and Marshall Lewis of Rose Hill, MS; one godchild, Beverly Villegas (Mark) of Augusta, GA, and her daughter, Hannah.
Visitation for Mrs. Hughes was on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. at Tutor Funeral Home in Magee, with the funeral service at 2 p.m. at Pine Grove Baptist Church, 124 Gather Johnson Road, Magee, MS. Interment followed in Pine Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Tutor Funeral Home of Magee.
