Smith Center – Wilma Arlene Hughes, 84, passed away Sunday, August 12, 2018 at Smith Center Health and Rehab.
Wilma was born July 3, 1934 in Smith County, KS, the daughter of Ancel Albert and Erma Alice (Baetz) Conaway. On June 8, 1951 she married Donald L. Hughes in Smith Center, KS. To this union they were blessed with two children, Randy and Linda.
Wilma grew up helping her parents on the family farm until they moved into Smith Center when she started 8th grade. She had several hobbies but enjoyed reading and doing puzzles the most. Wilma was a pharmacy technician for 48 years working from 1962 to 2010 when she retired. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Smith Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Linda Relihan, a grandson, Cale Relihan, two brothers, Bernard and Roger Conaway and a sister, Lela Rogers.
Wilma is survived by her husband, Don Hughes of Smith Center; a son, Randy J. Hughes of Topeka; son-in-law, David Relihan of Topeka; two brothers, Linn (Andrea) Conaway of Nebraska, Lyle (Sue) Conaway of Oklahoma; a sister, Elsie Wittke of Monrovia, IN; five grandchildren, Joshua (Tammy) Hughes of Topeka, Jara Michelle (Jason) Matney, Jesse (Ashley) Hughes of Topeka, Joseph Hughes of Topeka and Erin (Trent) Horst of Lenexa, KS; ten great grandchildren, Payton and Grant Hughes, Devin Wolf and Kayden and Gavin Matney, Taylor and Kellen Hughes, Brody and Brynn Hughes, Cale Horst and one great-great granddaughter.
A celebration of Wilma's life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018 at All Faiths Funeral Chapel, Smith Center, KS, with Allan Dunavan officiating. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen. Inurnment will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS. Memorials may be given to the American Lung Association and can be sent in care of the funeral chapel.