Mary Hughes

Mary A. Hughes was born in Greenville, MS. on September 29, 1940 to Wilson L. and Louise N. Alexander. She fell asleep in death peacefully at her home in Galveston, Texas on February 24, 2026 after a long battle with Cancer. Mary leaves behind to cherish her memory, her son Robert Todd Carpenter; daughter, Kelly C. Escamilla (Victor) of Galveston, TX; grandchildren, Monique Swan (Marcus) of Houston, TX, Steven T. Carpenter of Galveston, TX, Tyler A. Carpenter of Texas City, TX ; great grandchildren, Gavin Swan, Brandon Swan, Aaron Swan, Bently Paige Swan & Ryan T. Carpenter all of Houston, TX; sisters, Rita A. McManus (Larry) of Vidalia, LA, Patty A. Waller (Glenn) of Oxford, MS, Pamela A. Middleton (Tom) of Natchez, MS and special friends, Victoria Mata (Gilbert), Ninfa Cedillo, Olivia Albonetti & Tammy Soutor all of Galveston, TX.

She is preceded in death by her husband, David Allen Hughes, Sr; sisters, Mildred Ann Alexander Aarons and Jennie Lee Alexander Waller; and her parents, Wilson and Louise Alexander.

Mary graduated from Vidalia High School, Vidalia, Louisiana, in 1958 as the Valedictorian of her class. After graduation Mary attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. While at LSU, she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, was crowned Miss Concordia Parish, and competed in the Miss Louisiana Pageant. Her career as an accountant began at Carpet Sales and Service. Then she continued her career working with the accounting firm of Jones-Switzer. Her accomplished career continued with Callon Petroleum Company as a Revenue accountant where she faithfully served for over 20 years. She developed many and lasting friendships with her wonderful co-workers. Throughout her career, she was respected for her work ethic, integrity, mentorship, skill and accomplishments.

Throughout her life she was an avid reader and a participant in amateur theater on stage and served on the Board of Directors of the Natchez Little Theatre. She enjoyed singing in the Choir at First Baptist Church in Natchez.
Beyond professional achievements, she found the greatest joy in music, singing and acting.

Mary was very proud to be called a Lyonette joined with 2 other friends, Bennie Boone and Shirley Petkovsek, who entertained the USS Lyons ship sailors for their 50th reunion.

When Mary became a grandmother, she was fondly known as Grand Mary to them. She was filled with so much joy in the company of them. In the words of her oldest grandson that would melt her heart he said, “You were a True grandmother, you did your job full of love and gentleness, there was not a time you did not succeed. You are made of iron and you were also my best friend.” She was not only a friend but a mentor to her children and grandchildren and she will be greatly missed.

After her Cancer diagnosis in 2019, Mary decided that upon her death she wanted to contribute to science and to follow thru with that desire she made an act of donation to the UTMB Willed-Body Program. She was passionate about her decision to be a part of science and helping future Doctors gain as much information from her to help someone else in the future.

The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.