Rita G. Hughes

Rita Genevieve Hughes, 88 of Palestine, IL, died at 3:45 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009 at Cotillion Ridge Nursing Center in Robinson, IL. She was born June 27, 1920 in rural Adams County, IL, the daughter of Elmer C. Smith and Anna R. Schmidt Smith. Rita grew up in Adams County, IL, graduating from Clayton High School in 1939. She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in 1942 and Eastern Illinois University in 1976. She worked in hospitals in Hannibal, MO and Robinson, IL. She was the School Nurse for Palestine Community Unit #3 for 14 years. She helped her husband during all the years with their livestock operation, and was a talented gardener.She attended St. Elizabeth’s Church with her husband in Robinson. She was a member of the Crawford County Home Extension, Illinois State Nurses Association, Illinois Association of School Nurses, Better Ways Club, Bay View Club, and St. Elizabeth’s Altar Society. Her wisdom, strength and kind, caring love will be deeply missed by her family.On March 4, 1944 she married Lt. J.G. James H. Hughes at the Naval Chapel at Lakehurst, New Jersey. He preceded her in death on August 8, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents and several brothers and sisters.Rita is survived by her son, David Hughes, Palestine; two daughters, Nancy Kincaid, Palestine and Diana Hughes, Mt. Pleasant, MI; her sister, Rosemary Wallace, Kirksville, MO. She leaves five grandchildren, Jenny Kincaid, Cindy Hodges, Ryan Kincaid, Michael Kincaid and Andrea Kincaid; and two great grandchildren, Brianna Hodges and Ashlynn Kincaid. A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the Goodwine Funeral Home, Palestine. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. preceding the services. Memorials may be made to the Palestine Library Building Fund with envelopes available at any Goodwine Funeral Home location.