Obituary of Alice Auston Hughes

Alice Auston Hughes entered into eternal rest on November 23, 2023. Alice was born to the late Edmond and Lucy Auston on May 14, 1926 in the rural community of Norfleet, which is located just outside of Scotland Neck, North Carolina. The eldest of eight, she was feisty, strong-willed, charismatic and determined. She exhibited those traits throughout the entirety of her 97-year life.

In spite of challenges associated with sharecropping, Alice graduated from Brawley High School in Scotland Neck, North Carolina at the age of 16.  Shortly thereafter she moved to Suffolk, Virginia where she worked and selflessly sent money back home to help her family. While living in Suffolk, she met her beloved husband, Elvin A. Hughes. They relocated to Norfolk, Virginia in 1951. She worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Norfolk Community Hospital until becoming a full-time Funeral Director and Office Manager for E A Hughes Funeral Home in 1952. She worked tirelessly at the family business until the building experienced a lightning strike in 2005.

Alice accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Saint Stephens Baptist Church in Scotland Neck, NC. A woman of faith, she always had a church affiliation. She joined Metropolitan Baptist Church while in Suffolk, and after moving to Norfolk, she attended Oakwood Chapel Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ before joining Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. She was a founding member of the Philadelphia Fellowship (Baptist), led by founding pastor Dr. Ronnie D. Joyner. She was a dutiful church worker as she sang in the Senior Choir, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes, served as a Deaconess, and was a member of the Missionary Board.  She loved her church family unconditionally and welcomed any and every opportunity to teach and bear witness to the goodness of God.

Alice is pre-deceased by her husband of 47 years, Elvin A. Hughes, Sr., her parents Lucy and Edmond Auston, and siblings Emma Anthony, Pat Griffin, James “Peter” Alston, and Lee Haywood Alston. She leaves to cherish her memory four children: Elvin A. (Bernetia) Hughes, Jr., Everard A. (Peggy) Hughes, Sr., Elveta H. Phillips, and Esther A. Hughes; three siblings: Joan Smith, Carrie Hardy, and Bettye (James) Newkirk; a bonus son: Tyrance Alston Hughes (Marty); nine grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends, including her dear friend and confidante, Lois Sharp.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in Alice's name to her church:

Philadelphia Fellowship

PO Box 1446

Norfolk, VA 23501