Obituary of Mary Katherine Hughes

Mary Katherine Hughes, age 67, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on July 18, 2022, after a years’ long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in the Mausoleum Chapel at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC 29072.

Kathy, as she was known to many, was born in Columbia, SC at the Baptist Hospital on August 23, 1954, to Lois and Raymond Craig. Kathy attended Brookland-Cayce High School, but left early to get married and move to Germany with her first husband. She would later return to Lower Richland High School Adult Learners Program to earn her high school diploma and go on to earn some college credits. She worked for Richland School District Two as a teaching assistant to middle school students for a number of years before medically retiring. After marrying her loving husband of 25 years, Ronald Hughes, the two moved to Gaston, where they shared many happy memories, as well as a love for their children and grandchildren. Kathy loved collecting things and playing board games. She was a bit on the competitive side, and occasionally a sore loser when it came to a serious game of UNO. Kathy will be most remembered for her infectious laugh, her unique sense of humor and her unconquerable, “take-no-crap” personality. She was smart, strong, stubborn, and always knew what to do. She loved her family fiercely and instilled her strong will and strength of spirit in her daughters and granddaughters. Although Alzheimer’s took her too soon, her legacy will live on through all whom she loved, but especially through those who called her wife, Mom and Nana.

She is survived by her husband, Ronnie; her brother, Doug Craig; her children, Cynthia (Kacy) Funderburk and Christina (Clark) Greenwood; her grandchildren, Stephanie Higgins, Ashly (Caleb) Kellogg and Elizabeth McCaw, as well as three great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Lois Hall and Raymond Craig, and husband, Robert Chilcot.

The family would like to express special thanks for the many caregivers who cared for Kathy with grace, love and dignity throughout her illness. Thank you to the Prisma Health Hospice team of providers Dr. Rivers; Dr. Jenkins; Vistina Johnson, NP; Mary G., RN; Kimberly, SW; Dominic, CNA; and Jackie, CNA for the unfailing kindness and care you showed. Thank you to Charmaine Dreher, CNA for treating Kathy like your own mother and caring for our family in the process. Thank you to the many workers of Hands and Hearts Home Care of West Columbia also for the years of support you provided to our family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made in Kathy’s name to the Alzheimer's Society using the link below or to Leeza’s Care Connection, a local aid organization. While making the donation, you can elect to send a tribute letter to Ronnie Hughes at 209 Havenwood Drive, Gaston, SC 29053.

https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/