Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 29, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Molly Marshall Hughes, 94, passed away peacefully at Southminster Retirement Community in Charlotte, NC on Monday, July 29, 2024.   She was born on February 21, 1930, in Johnson City, TN and was the daughter of Ernest D. Marshall and Ida Cox Marshall. 

Molly was a caring, compassionate, empathetic, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She had a great sense of humor and an unlimited number of one-liners.  Molly touched everyone that came across her path and those who knew her soon became “her favorite”!  She was loved by all especially her seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who would often chant “Grandma’s a winner, Grandma’s a winner!” 

Molly’s family heritage began as the settlers stepped foot on American soil.  She was a member of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and a direct descendant to John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee.  Molly graduated from Science Hill High School with honors in 1948 and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed”.  There’s no doubt that she succeeded in enjoying life to the fullest. I n addition to graduating from East Tennessee State University with a double degree in Elementary and Secondary Education in 1952, Molly met her future husband, Herb Hughes, who proved to be her lifelong partner and loving companion for over 70 years.  While she worked as a second-grade teacher in Alexandria, VA, Herb completed his dental school training at the University of Tennessee.  Afterwards they were reunited and married in 1954. Looking for a place to call home and open an orthodontic practice, they decided that the banks of the Potomac River in Alexandria, VA would be the perfect place.  Molly played an active role in her three children’s school activities, the community, and later Herb’s orthodontic practice.  Her happy places were those times spent with family enjoying beach vacations, fall outings to Capon Springs, celebrating birthdays and Christmas. 

After retirement, she and Herb spent fourteen winters in Venice, Florida before deciding that Charlotte would be their next place to call home.  Molly became active in the Myers Park United Methodist Church and the Mecklenburg Chapter of the DAR.  In 2014 Molly and Herb became a part of the Southminster Retirement Community and enjoyed the fellowship of many newly made “Best Friends”. 

She is survived by her husband, Herbert H. Hughes; sons, Herbert M. Hughes and his wife, Tammy and Mark A. Hughes and his wife, Susan; daughter, Carolyn H. Brown and her husband, James; grandchildren, Justin M. Hughes and his wife, Laura, Taylor G. Hughes and his wife, Becca and Marshall W. Hughes and his wife, Lysa, Evan C. Hughes, Bailey K. Hughes Teague (Ty), Molly B. Dean and her husband, Daniel and Daniel Alexander Brown.  Also surviving are her great-grandchildren, Caleb A. Hughes, Juliana G. Hughes, James H. Hughes, Rosalie J. Hughes, Madelyn J. Dean, Sofia L. Dean, Herbert T. Hughes, and Riley V. Teague. 

A private graveside service will be held in Johnson City, TN at a future date. 

“I’m going to heaven with chocolate on my face!”

Molly Hughes

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.