Janie Lou Hughes, 85, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021 at home.  She was born on December 25, 1935 in Spurgeon, Indiana, the daughter of Clyde and Lou Ellen (Thompson) Fowler.  She married Reverend Harold Hughes on August 26, 1956 and together they have enjoyed sixty-four years of marriage centered on their faith, love and family.

Janie was a graduate of Oakland City University and enjoyed her career as an elementary school teacher at South School in Mount Carmel until her retirement in 1992.  She loved her role as a teacher and the fulfillment she experienced being a part of the young children’s lives.  Even as her students moved on to higher education, she enjoyed keeping in touch with them from time to time.  Janie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was very helpful to her husband in his spiritual ministry and the two of them were inseparable.  Janie made daily journal entries, kept photos of her family and really enjoyed being the family historian.   She had great love and concern for her whole family and enjoyed visiting with all of them.  In her free-time, Janie enjoyed a good book and also crocheted many blankets and rugs as gifts for family and friends. Janie lived her life with a very strong faith.  Her favorite hymn was “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”.  She was a member of the First General Baptist Church where she was active in the Women’s Missionary Society.  Janie was a treasured friend to many and she will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her. 

Janie leaves behind her beloved husband, Harold; son, Lloyd Hughes and wife, Susan of Mt. Carmel; daughter, Lou Ann Scott and husband, Stephen of Mt. Carmel; six grandchildren, Samantha (Jon) Reeder, Wesley (Katie) Scott, Megan Hughes, C.J. Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Shea (Tristan) Lewis; nine great-grandchildren plus baby Scott due to arrive in May; brothers, Charley (Ruth Ann) Fowler of Silvis, IL, Jack (Linda) Fowler of Lynnville, IN; several nieces and nephews.

Janie was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Vicki Lynn Hughes; sister, Margie Fowler. 

The family will gather for a private Visitation in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home followed by a private Graveside Service at Powell Cemetery in White County, IL, with Pastor Gary Underwood officiating.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers and gifts, Memorial Contributions may be made in Janie’s memory to First General Baptist Church and can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements.  To view Janie’s tribute wall and leave condolences for the Hughes family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com