Shirley Ann Hughes Obituary

Our beloved, Shirley Ann Hughes, 60, of Little Rock, AR passed away on June 28th, 2025. Shirley was born on July 3, 1964, to Ollie Lester and Maudrine Hughes of Sparkman, AR.

Shirley will be truly missed for her loving, selfless, and tenacious spirit. She lived a life full of compassion, purpose, and quiet strength — always putting others first and facing each day with unwavering faith and determination.

In her early years, Shirley attended Sparkman High School, where she graduated in 1982. A natural leader and beloved by her classmates, she served as Class President. She went on to attend Henderson State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. During her time at Henderson, Shirley was widely recognized for her grace, intelligence, and charm — honored as 1982-83 First Runner-Up for Miss Confederation of Black Students Pageant and crowned Miss Alfresco in 1983.

Shirley’s life was filled with love and dedication to others. In her spare time, she enjoyed shopping, attending family events, volunteering through church, and supporting her nieces and nephews in all their endeavors. She found joy in listening to gospel music, reading, journaling, and dining out with her family and friends. Her life was a beautiful blend of devotion to her family, community, and faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie and Maudrine Hughes. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories and love with her daughter, Rictoria Jefferson; her sisters, Lawanda of Springdale, Arkansas, and Barbara Hughes of Sparkman, Arkansas; her brothers, Oliver Thomas of Sparkman and Mark (Nicole) Hughes of Malvern, Arkansas. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews: Anthony, Devona, Corliss, Courtney, Rian, Bianca, and Marke’la; her great-nieces and nephews: Charisma, Johnathan, Xavier, Avion, and Ayden; aunts, Lessie Rideout, Waterloo, IA, Vera (Robert) Johnson of Rockford, IL, Joyce (Joe) Cook of Malvern, AR, Billie Wesley and Betty Carol Wilson of Milwaukee, WI, Brenda Parham and Malinda Harrison (Robert) of Little Rock, AR, Oleida Hughes of Sparkman, AR and Clara Craig of Arkadelphia, AR; uncles, Willie Reed of Malvern, AR, Henry Hughes of Atlanta, GA, Jack Hughes of Malvern, AR, and James Hughes of Little Rock, AR. extended family, dear friends, and her cherished church family.

Shirley’s legacy of love, strength, and generosity will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Though she is no longer with us, her light shines brightly through the lives she touched.

Submitted by the Hughes Family 

Friends and family are invited to come together to celebrate Shirley’s life on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Macedonia Baptist Church with the interment at Harmony Community Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, July 7, 2025, from noon until 7:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Hughes, Johnathan “King” Davis, Calvis Craig, Johnathan Davis, Mark Whitaker, Michael Whitaker, Rickey Carter and James Craig. Honorable to mention are Willie Reed, Henry Hughes, Joe Henry Cook, Billy Williams, Jack Hughes, James Hughes, Robert Harrison and Rickey Jefferson.