Joyce Marie Bassham Hughes, a lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant, TN, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 4, 2022.
Joyce was born on July 30, 1942 to the late Nannie Frizzell Bassham and Henry Bassham. She attended Hay Long High School and was named Homecoming Queen in 1960. She was married to her loving husband, David Linton Hughes, for 56 years. Joyce’s legacy is her love for church, family, children and her community.
She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant serving as VBS director for many years. She loved the Lord with all her heart and serving Him was her life’s mission.
Joyce loved her three boys, and her greatest joys were her eight beautiful grandchildren. She was named the best “cooker” around by her grandkids, and Joyce made Sunday lunch a tradition in her family. She also loved telling stories of her siblings and fond childhood memories.
Joyce worked as an educational assistant at Mt. Pleasant Elementary. Miss Joyce, as she was known by many precious children in Mt. Pleasant, always had a hug and a smile waiting at school and around town.
Joyce was tiny and spunky. “Grannie” loved a good ball game, and she would be the first person on the field, at the gym, or any event her family was a part of. She could also hold her own in the backyard playing baseball or shooting hoops with her grandchildren.
Joyce is now wearing her crown in Heaven, that she received for always allowing God’s light to shine through her. She dedicated her days to making sure everyone around her knew of God’s great love.
Joyce was preceded in death by: her husband, David, her son, David Christopher Hughes, her great grandchild, David Christopher Hughes III, and siblings: Bettye Cornwell, Sue Plew, Jane Peden, Charles Bassham, Jim Bassham, David Bassham, and Tommy Bassham.
Joyce leaves behind her sons: Eric (Rebecca) Hughes, Stephen (Rachel) Hughes; and daughter-in-law, Rita Frazier Hughes. She was “Grannie” to Christopher (Stephanie), Allyson, Linton, Jackson, Hardin, Bennett, Chandler, and Willa Hughes. Survived by brother Pete Bassham, brother-in-law Buford ”Speed” Plew, sister-in-laws: Ernestine Whitley, Loretta Bassham, and Vickie Bassham; special friend Micki White; and many nephews and nieces.
The Hughes family will visit with friends and family from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022 at Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbia, Tennessee with Russ Adcox officiating.
Pallbearers are her grandchildren.
Honorary Pallbearers include Rick Whitley, Randy Cornwell, Dr. Charles Ball, William Grooms, Derek Boyd, and members of The Willing Servants Class at First Baptist Mt. Pleasant.
The family would like to express special thanks to Micki White, Dr. Charles Ball, NHC Health Care Columbia, and Caris Hospice. The family request those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Mt. Pleasant Elementary Library in memory of Joyce Hughes.
Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family. Condolences can be given to the family online at www.williamsfh.com
