Alice Auston Hughes

When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul…

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Alice Auston Hughes who entered into eternal rest on Thursday, November 23, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee surrounded by her loving family. 
 

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.

Celebration of Life Services will commence on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at The Murray Center of First Baptist Church Bute-Street located at 455 East Brambleton Avenue Norfolk, Virginia beginning at Noon. She will lie in repose from 10:30am until time of service. Interment will follow at Roosevelt Memorial Park Cemetery in Chesapeake, Virginia. There will be a viewing on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Riddick Funeral Home in Norfolk Virginia. 
 

Professional services of comfort have been entrusted to Walton Funeral Home of Virginia Beach, Virginia & Adkins Memorial Funeral Home of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.