Sue Margaret Hughes

Sue Margaret Hughes was born April 13, 1920, to Chastain Wesley Hughes and Sue Willis Payne Hughes in Cleburne, Texas. She was the sixth of seven children, and the last surviving. The family moved to Waco in 1925, where she was educated in the Waco public schools. Graduating from Waco High in 1938, she did not attend college right away, but went to a local commercial business school. There she studied such things as business math, bookkeeping, typing, and shorthand (didn't like the shorthand too much). Sue Margaret Hughes worked in the accounting office of a local manufacturer of cotton products for a number of years. Ultimately, her desire for a college education led her to enroll at the University of Texas, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1949. She loved Austin, her studies, horseback riding, and golf. Back in Waco, she returned to her employer and Dr. Margaret Hughes' career blossomed. She rose to become Secretary-Treasurer of that company. After years of work in accounting, Dr. Hughes wanted something different for herself. She left her employment and attended Texas Woman's University, studying library science, graduating with her master’s degree (M.L.S.) in 1960. Upon her return home, she went to work at Baylor University where she remained until her retirement. Initially working in public services, she moved to acquisitions and serials in 1964. When Moody Memorial Library opened in 1968, she became Acquisitions Librarian. While at Baylor, Dr. Hughes continued coursework at TWU, and by the time she become Librarian of Moody Memorial Library in 1980, she was enrolled in a doctoral program. This Ph.D. was awarded in 1987 and she was promoted to full professor. The culmination of Dr. Hughes' academic career came when she was named University Librarian in 1989. She retired in 1990 at the then-compulsory retirement age of 70. Over the years, Dr. Hughes pursued interests outside of her professions: as member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, Friendship Sunday School Class, AAUW, ALA, Altrusa, Baylor Round Table, Brazos Forum, Delta Kappa Gamma, Historic Waco Foundation (where she was a docent at Fort House into her early 90s) among others. Frequently, she occupied leadership positions in these organizations. She also loved travel, returning to Europe over and over again, but also saw Asia from Japan to Hong Kong to Thailand. And she visited 49 of the 50 states. Of course, there was family: most of her siblings and their children remained in Waco for years, and she enjoyed her nieces and nephews hugely (there were nine of them). And she was so very special to them. Preceding Dr. Hughes in death were her parents; brothers, Wray Payne Hughes and wife, Inez, Chastain Waddy Hughes and wife, Ruth, Virgil Robert Hughes and wife, Faye Dane; sisters, Katherine Elizabeth Hughes, Lois Carol Hughes, Marian Willis Hughes McGhee and husband, Ed; nephew, John Blackburn Hughes, and niece, Elizabeth Ruth Hughes King and husband, Tom. Surviving her are her nieces, Linda Wray Hughes Huestis and husband, David, Sally Sue Hughes, Mary Margaret Hughes, Carol Dana Hughes Waters and husband Mike, Diane Hughes Blinn, Laura Elise McGhee Pullman and husband, John; nephews, Thomas Payne Hughes and wife, Susan, and Robert W. Hughes; grandnieces/nephews: Wray, Jonathan, Steven, Katie, Sarah, Elizabeth, Les, Steven, and Dana; and twelve great-grandnieces and -nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers whose skill and compassion enabled Dr. Hughes to remain in her own home: Charlie Wells, Rhonda Hardman, Crystal Hardy, Cindy Page, Denise Anslyn, Trish Davila, Angela York, Jasmine Moon, and Patricia Essmail. Dr. Hughes’ body will lie in state at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, on January 7, 2022, for viewing. There will be no visitation due to COVID-19. A memorial service will be announced later, to occur in late January or February for all to join together in celebrating the life of Sue Margaret Hughes. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Sue Margaret Hughes Library Internship Fund (https://www.baylor.edu/library/index.php?id=975167). The family invites you to leave a message or memory on the “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.