Velma Hughes
February 10, 1934 - June 11, 2025
Obituary
Velma Hughes…a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother…and people that knew her, their best friend. Velma had such a beautiful personality that just being around her would make you happy. She was able to connect with everyone she met. But most of all, she was an incredible wife and mother.
Velma was born on February 10, 1934 (1929) in Scranton, Arkansas to Jack and Nita Poole. She was the fifth born out of fifteen siblings. Willie, Jessie, Lucille, George, Charles, Mae Ruth, Dorothy, Barbara, John, Robert, Pauline, Chester, Lester, and Ray.
Beloved wife to Joe Lewis Hughes. And mother to Anita, Gregory, and Joseph. She was the grandmother to Tamiko, Venice, Victor, and Aimee.
Velma was born and raised on the family farm. At first, she worked in the cotton fields with her family before finding her preferred place helping her mom and older sister with household chores and helping raise her young brothers and sisters. In her free time, she fell in love with reading books. It was noted during this time that it was not wise to disturb her. Her love for reading continued throughout her life with romance novels being her favorite read.
Velma fell in love with the Pacific Northwest after she followed her mom, dad, and her sister Lucille to Vancouver, Washington to work at the shipyard for a few months during her teen years. She then followed Lucille to Flint, Michigan where she got her first job working for the Sorscher’s as a Nanny. For five happy years she helped raise the Sorscher’s two young children. In 1956, Velma decided to start her life in the Pacific Northwest with Seattle being the target destination. She found an apartment staying above her new friend’s place named Rosalie Henry, who would deventually become Anita’s godmother. Velma continued working as a nanny until 1964, when she met Joe Lewis at a house party. In 1965, they wed and spent the first year or two staying in the Central District before buying their dream home and raising their growing family. Joe and Vel were best friends. Besides working on their new home and entertaining family and friends, they loved hanging out at Longacres and driving to Portland Meadows horse track for a day of fun. Later on came playing the Washington State Lottery games and going to Las Vegas, where Velma would meet up with family. They also loved hanging around the house, listening to jazz or gospel music, or sometimes even a little country music so they could hear the daily horse racing results. After Joe retired, Saturday night/early Sunday morning would be spent at the local casino, starting out when I was heading to sleep (9:30 AM) and not arriving back home until I was heading to work (5:30 AM).
Most of all, Vel loved her family. Her birthday parties were legendary. Creating the Three Little Pigs costumes for the play she put on and watching the War of the World movie all come to mind. She volunteered at her children’s schools, was a Boy Scout Den Mother, and helped with raising her grandchildren.
Velma loved going shopping with her sister Mae and going on surprise road trips with her brother Les. She enjoyed gardening, movies, astronomy, reading, going downtown, and walking along the waterfront. She loved her trips to Mt. Rainier and Mt. Saint Helens. And if you were heading to a casino, Vel was ready to go, too. She also enjoyed going to Mariners baseball games, museums, and Broadway shows.
Our mother was our best friend. I can’t express how much we will miss her beautiful spirit. We love you, Mom.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Nita Poole; her siblings Willie, Jessie, George, Lucille, Mae Ruth, Charles, Ray, and Barbara.
She is survived by seven siblings; her children Anita, Gregory, and Joseph; grandchildren Tamiko, Venice, Victor, and Amiee; and multiple cousins and friends.
A visitation for Velma will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Bonney Watson Funeral Home, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188. The funeral service will be on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Bonney Watson Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at 12:00 PM at Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188. Friends and family are invited to stay for a reception following the burial from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Bonney Watson Funeral Home Chapel.
