Maudrine Hughes

Maudrine was the 7th child born to Arthur and Maude Craig on January 9, 1940. She accepted Christ at a young age and united with Macedonia Baptist Church.  She attended Sparkman Training School and later. However, finding love at 22 years of age, she married Ollie Lester Hughes on March 2, 1962, and started their own family with the birth of five children.

She remained dedicated to her Christian beliefs and brought up her children also knowing and loving the Lord while seeking him at Macedonia Baptist Church where she served faithfully on the Usher Board, Mission Board, and Widow/Widows chairperson of the yearly program.

Maudrine was a longtime employee of Sparkman School District and after 25 years of service as a cafeteria worker, she retired. Upon retiring one of her favorite ways to pass the time was to go fishing. She would spend countless hours at the water’s edge fishing and reminiscing.

She was a strong example of family and fellowship. She maintained close ties to her family and loved ones. In August and September, she would enthusiastically plan, prep, and prepare a complete meal for family reunions. She enjoyed get-togethers, fish fry’s, bar-b-ques, and being in the company of her family. She was never shy and was widely known for her quick wit and charm. Even at the age of 81 with a youthful spirit, she continued to work and play with the exuberance of a teenager, all while continuing to travel, shop, and cook the best tasting southern food from her soul.

Maudrine peacefully passed from this life Friday, May 21, 2021. Those waiting to welcome her to rest are her parents, her husband, five brothers, Hart, Harvest, Arch, John Arthur, and Lewis Thomas; her sister Lula, and grandson, Craig.

Those left to carry her legacy are her five children; Barbara and Oliver of Sparkman, AR, Shirley of Little Rock, A,, Mark (Nicole) of Malvern, AR, and Lawanda of Springdale, AR; her beloved grandchildren,   Anthony (Vanessa), Devona, Bianca, Corliss, Rictoria, Keisha, Courtney, Rian and Marke’la; great-grandchildren, Charisma, Xavier, Avion, Ayden, Johnathan, Jahbari, Jaida, and Samir; one great-great-grandson, Greyson; one brother, Oreadis (Georgia) of Rockford, IL; three sisters, Lessie Rideout, Waterloo, IA, Vera (Robert) Johnson of Rockford, IL, and Joyce (Joe) Cook of Malvern, AR; brothers-in-law,  John Griffin of Cleveland, OH, Willie Reed of Malvern, AR, Henry Hughes of Warrensville Heights, OH, Jack Hughes of Malvern, AR, Willie Hughes, and James Hughes (Bettie) of Little Rock, AR; sisters-in-law, 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.  She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the Macedonia Baptist Church family.

Public visitation will be held Friday, May 28, 2021, from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church on Saturday, May 29, 2021, with the interment to follow at Harmony Community Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Terry Craig, Joseph Craig, Franklin Craig, Larry Hughes, Orlando Hughes, Jeffrey Hughes Shun Burks, Geoffrey Hall, Mark Whitaker, Jonathan Davis, and Rickey Carter. The deacons of Macedonia Baptist Church are honorable to mention.