Jettie Estes Hughes

Jettie Estes Hughes, 94, long-time Albuquerque resident, died peacefully on September 23, 2015. She is survived by daughter, Jayne Bullington (David); son John Hughes (Judy); grandchildren, Mark Hughes (Danica), Erica Barajas (Mark), and Tracy Bullington; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Alexandra and Jonathan Hughes. She is also survived by sisters, Joyce Crawford of Memphis, TN and Betty Johnson of Boise, ID, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 69 years, Lt. Col. Maurice L. "Johnny" Hughes, and brothers, Travis and George Estes. Jettie was born October 11, 1920 in Selmer, TN, the second of five children, to Brodie and Jewel Estes, and grew up in McNairy County, TN. After graduating from business college in Jackson, TN, she worked for the Dept. of Defense Finance Division in support of the war effort. She met Johnny at a Memphis church social event for service members in 1944, and they were married on August 18, 1945. After the war, Johnny remained in the new U.S. Air Force and served in flying, teaching and command positions across the nation, plus Goose Bay, Labrador ("Twice!", Jettie always reminded everyone). Jettie was very active in church activities, USAF base communities and was an avid bridge player. In 1968, Johnny retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service and they returned to Albuquerque. After retirement, they volunteered for many years with Central United Methodist Church as key staff of the fund-raising Thrift Shop. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. with their travel trailer, including a Hughes siblings' caravan to Alaska. She and Johnny also volunteered at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from 1985-1998.
Johnny and Jettie spent the last 16 years at Manzano del Sol and the Woodmark at Uptown assisted living communities. Jettie was loved and respected by staff, family, and friends for her cheerful nature and kindness to others even in declining health. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Boulevard NE in Albuquerque. Her ashes will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery next to those of her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to either: (1) the Memorial Fund at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, or (2) the Maurice L. Hughes Endowed Scholarship, c/o UNM Foundation, Two Woodward Center, 700 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, or online at https://www.unmfund.org/fund/maurice-l-hughes-endowed-scholarship/, or at https://www.unmfund.org (click on Browse Funds tab, and locate the Scholarship under M). Johnny and Jettie appreciated the financial support that facilitated a college education, so they endowed this scholarship for UNM students in chemistry or biology.