Mrs. Ethel Hughley, 94, of Gadsden, AL, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024. She is survived by her loving family. We ask that you please keep this family in your heart and prayers during their time of bereavement.

Mrs. Ethel Mae Bailey Hughley was born on August 17, 1929, in Lafayette, AL, to Mr. Charlie Bailey and Mrs. Lennie Whitlow Bailey. She was the eldest of four children who heard the Master’s call and answered on June 15, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter L. Hughley, Sr.; son, Walter L. Hughley, Jr.; daughter, Sandra Hughley Camp; father, Charlie Bailey; mother, Lennie Whitlow Bailey; brothers, James F. Bailey and Willie Lee Bailey; and sister, Mary Alice Higgins.

She received her education in Chambers County, where she graduated from Chambers County
High School in 1947.

She accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Sardis Baptist Church in Camp Hill, AL, where she was a faithful servant. After relocating to Gadsden, AL, she united with the Oak Grove Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend B. K. King, where she served faithfully until death. She was a member of the Missionary Society, the choir, usher board, and church clerk for 50 years. In June of 2023, she became an Honorary Member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in El Paso, TX, where the Reverend Artie Maxwell is pastor. Her favorite saying was, “I’m just trying to hold on.” She would never miss church unless she was extremely ill, and thanks be to God that was not often.

On June 24, 1949, she married Walter L. Hughley, and to this union, five children were born. She
loved everyone; in her early years, she cared for a lot of children and became known as “Granny” to many. She also played the piano. She will always be remembered by a lot of children for her homemade biscuits and fried apple pies.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her three daughters, Linda H. Sutton and Lecretia Hughley, both of Gadsden, and Kathy (Kenneth) Chappell of El Paso, TX; three grandchildren, George Hughley and Walter L. Hughley III, both of Gadsden, AL, and Kayla Chappell of Austin, TX; two sisters-in-law, Mary (John) James and Alberta Hughley, both of Gadsden, AL; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; bonus daughters, Lisa Tinker of Gadsden, AL, Rosie Walker of Rome, GA, and Carol Thomas of Gadsden, AL; bonus grandchildren, Kristian Burnett, Jonathan and Keitha Collins, Shantavian Collins, Makenzia Goodman, Miranda Woodgett, Monica, Marcus, and Maliyah Lucas, Jermaine Jenkins, Monique Porch, and Dyleshia and Zakiya Bell; special friends, Mrs. Annie Robinson, Mrs. Bertha Collins, Mrs. Georgia Sanders, Mrs. Loubertha Gregg, Mrs. Lelie Jackson, Mrs. Lucille Harris, Mrs. Nerva Daniels, Mr. Curtis Isom, Reverend William Bronson, Deacon Scott Bozeman, Mt. Zion Baptist Church of El Paso, TX, Deacon Norman Collins, and MZBC Prayer Warriors; and special sister, Mrs. Vernia Ray.

Public Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 from 12noon-6pm.

Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Athens C.M.E. Church at 1:00pm.

Rev. Dr. Lilly Rainey, Pastor

Rev. Grover Robinson, Eulogist

Arrangements under the direction of West Gadsden Funeral Home. 256-549-0004

“Your Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”