Dorothy Mae Hughes, 89, of Fork Union, Virginia, passed away suddenly on Thursday evening, April 17, 2014, at her home.

She was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and graduated from Morris High School, Bronx, New York.  She later attended Apex Beauty School Academy, Bronx, New York, where she studied and received her beautician's license.  Prior to being a beautician, one of her first jobs in New York was as a factory worker making parachutes for our soldiers during World War II.   She felt she had to do something in order to help support our troops since her husband was in Europe fighting the war as well.  Her next career was a Postal Clerk for the U.S. Postal Service for 3 years, where she received a number of promotions within the organization.   From there she briefly was an IRS Service Audit Clerk in New York, New York.  She  then started the path of becoming a beautician, which was her passion.  For most of her adult life and career, she and her family lived in the Bronx, New York until 1977.  She, along with her husband and young son, moved back to their hometown of Fork Union, Virginia.

Our dear mother was the wife of Frank C. Hughes (deceased) of 67 years; three children, two daughters, Sharon E. Harris of South Ozone Park, New York, and Brenda Y. Caughman of the Bronx, New York, and a son, Derek B. Hughes of Clifton, Virginia; three grandchildren, Lance Caughman (deceased), Tanya E. Harris and husband, Terence Brown and Sharif H. Sherrod and two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Chase Brown.

The community viewing will be held from 6  - 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at Thessalonia Baptist Church, 677 Thessalonia Road, Route 651, Fork Union (Bremo Bluff—GPS), Virginia 23055.

The family will receive friends and relatives at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2014, immediately followed by a funeral service at noon at Thessalonia Baptist Church.  Services will be celebrated at the church and an interment will immediately follow at the church cemetery.