Wilda Wills Hughes

Wilda was born February 13, 1932, in Beaumont, Texas. As times were hard she was soon given up and placed for adoption. At the age of 16 months, after a playground accident, she was helped by Orbie Wills who was delivering ice to the Orphanage. He soon began coming by to check on her and eventually taking her home to spend weekends with he and his wife, Nan Wills. This soon became a permanent home for Wilda, though the adoption was never legally finalized. Orbie, the father she adored, became ill and she helped care for him until his death in 1941. At this time, she was formally adopted by Nan Wills, who became the first single woman in Texas to adopt a child. When she was 12 Nan married Allen W. Phillips and Wilda gained two sisters and a brother with this union whom she dearly loved and who loved her. In school Wilda made many friends that remained lifelong friends. She graduated from South Park High School in 1950 and was a loyal greenie! She was a class officer, student body secretary and was a cheerleader 6th grade through College. While attending Lamar College she was introduced to Frank Jameson, they married 3 months later, and she had 3 children with Frank. She was a devoted and loving Mother. She was very involved in their lives and volunteered and held offices in many organizations.

In 1978 Wilda married Robert H. Hughes and accepted his 4 grown children into her life. They made their home together in Deer Park, Texas. During this time in her life she became a grandmother for the first time. She loved being a grandmother and became very good at sewing and making outfits for them and their Barbies! Always fun and entertaining, Grannie totally enjoyed playing and spoiling her grandchildren and she was loved by them.

Always gracious, thoughtful and kind, Wilda will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Wilda is survived by her children, Frank Jameson and his wife, Libby, of Beaumont; Melinda Jameson Noto and her husband, Douglas, of Navasota; Margaret Jameson Cailleteau and her husband, Michael, of Baytown; David Hughes and his wife, Karon, of Colorado; Carolyn Hoover and her husband, Dennis, of Fort Worth; and Mark Hughes and his wife, Martha, of Conroe; sister, Bessie Helmke and her husband, Burt, of The Woodlands; grandchildren, Sean Jameson; Erin Ocker and her husband, Chris; Wendy Scot and Brooke; Jeff Noto and his wife, Jenny; Leslie Noto Kamensky and her husband, Pete; Lindsey Noto Marzullo and her husband, Matt; Leanna Noto and her fiancé, Stephen Kruppa; Wills Cailleteau; Shane Cailleteau; Michael Lee Cailleteau and his wife, Jessie; Jennifer Hughes; Casey Hughes and his wife, JoAnne; Marcus Hughes; and numerous great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Nan and Allen Phillips; husband, Robert Hughes; son, Stephen Hughes; sister, Flora Phillips Tucker; and brother, Max Phillip.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Lucas Place for the love and care they gave to their Mother.

A gathering of Mrs. Hughes family and friends will be from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., Sunday, November 19, 2017, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A private family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.