Alma "Sissy" Hughes

Alma “Sissy” Inez Hughes, of Oletha passed away at Windsor Healthcare Residence in Groesbeck on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at age 78.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 am on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Old Union Cemetery, with Reverend Bill Sutton officiating.

Alma was born April 14, 1947, to Fred Copeland and Alma Montez (Snow) Stewart in Marquez. She grew up in Marquez and graduated from Leon High School, class of 1964. After school, Butch and Huck met a couple of beautiful Leon County girls on a double date and such began their life together.

Alma was united in marriage with Elbert O. “Butch” Hughes on June 14, 1964, in Groesbeck. They lived their lives in Oletha where they raised two daughters, and were dedicated members of Oletha Baptist Church.

Alma enjoyed fishing in local tanks and even caught two bass on one lure. She also liked deer hunting on M-Ranch. Alma loved to water ski but couldn’t swim. She fell one time in two feet of water and said “I broke my face.” She also loved to play volleyball in the front yard and “42” with her brothers and family.  And she really enjoyed going to garage sales. 

Alma was known by all who shopped at Stanley Grocery in Groesbeck during the many years she worked by her welcoming personality. She also worked at Groesbeck Cleaners and worked in the cafeteria for Groesbeck ISD and housekeeping at Limestone Medical Center.

Her great love for her grandchildren leaves each of them with a special memory. One of her favorite sayings was “ya’ll got snacks” (because she wanted to be sure they had plenty of snacks), and Flint can repeat this, sounding exactly as Mam-Maws did. Every time Rani entered the room she would say “you are so beautiful - are you OK? – do you need anything?” And Delainey remembers how she would say every time she saw her “come here baby and give me a hug.” The family will cherish these and many other happy memories of Mam-Maws.

Alma was preceded in death by her father, Fred Copeland and stepmother, Faye Copeland; her mother, Alma Stewart and stepfather, Franklin Stewart; and brother, Bill Copeland. Also preceding her were her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gilbert and Madelle Hughes; brothers-in-law, Huck Hughes, Rastus Hughes, Mickey Green, Harold Bumpurs, and Clifford Meredith; and sisters-in-law, Polly Bumpurs and Patsy Green.

She is survived by her husband, Elbert O. “Butch” Hughes of Old Union; daughter, Cindy Hughes of Old Union and daughter and son-in-law, Alaine and Trent Long of Teague. Her grandchildren are Rani Noey of Old Union, Flint Noey of Old Union, and Delainey Long of College Station. She is also survived by her brothers, Roy Copeland of Marquez, Fred Copeland, Jr. and wife Jennifer of Groesbeck, Gary Stewart and wife Denise Stewart of Marquez, and Brian Stewart of Marquez; and sisters-in-law, Lindy Meredith of Groesbeck, Mary Hughes of Old Union, and Patsy Henderson of Teague as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.