12/28/2024
Rita Gayle (Warden) Hughes, born December 30, 1946, to Roy Wesley “Bud” Warden and Thelma Ruth (Dougherty) Warden, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 77. Rita was raised in Hinton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Hinton High School in 1964. She married Tom Hughes on December 17, 1966, in Wichita Falls, Texas. After living in California for a few years, they returned to the Hinton area to raise their family. Rita worked as a hairdresser before dedicating herself to raising her children. She managed Tom’s entrepreneurial endeavors, served as City Clerk for the Town of Hinton, and was active on the library boards in Hinton and Clinton. Rita also worked as a receptionist for Dr. Mann in Clinton and helped run The Firing Pin in Hinton and Clinton for many years. Rita loved reading, solving crossword puzzles, cross-stitching, listening to Willie Nelson songs, and singing on the porch. She was a gifted storyteller and poet who delighted in sharing her creative works. She was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Clinton.
Rita is survived by her husband, Tom Hughes of Clinton, Oklahoma; children: Amy Mann and her husband, Dr. Mark Mann of Clinton, Oklahoma; Rae Lyn Belt and her husband, James of Piedmont, Oklahoma; and Sara Sigmon and her husband, Dr. Jason Sigmon of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; stepdaughter Kristi Thompson and her husband, Stephen of Higdon, Arkansas; stepson David Hughes of California; and honorary daughter Peri Perkins of Dallas, Texas; Her cherished grandchildren include Lindsay Cho and her husband, James of Olathe, Kansas; Alison Garrett and her husband, Billy of Edmond, Oklahoma; Brandon Mack, and his wife Dayana of Tuttle, Oklahoma; Madeline Wiest and her husband, Zac of Clinton; Matt Mann and his wife, Kadi, of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jessica Pool and her husband, Jake of Mustang, Oklahoma; Jaqueline Hughes and her wife, Paige of El Reno, Oklahoma; Gabrielle Fink and her husband, Mark of Hinton; Brent Hughes and Kaelee Livingston of Oklahoma City; Lily, McKynna, and Mary Kate Sigmon all of Oklahoma City; Jack Sigmon of Fort Collins, Colorado; Jason Ferry and his wife, Steevee of Maumelle, Arkansas; Paige Sisson and her husband, Brooks of Conway, Arkansas; Natalie Ezell and her husband, Mat of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Jacob and Nick Hughes of California; Rita’s legacy also includes her beloved great-grandchildren: Bennett, Caleb, John William, Henry, Wiley, Thomas, Beth, Jane, Micah, Dawson, Hunner, Grayson, Stella, Scottie, and Dixie. She is also survived by her sister, Rae Ann Goddard, and her husband, Ronnie, of Hinton.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud Warden and Bob and Ruth Casstevens; and her grandparents, James Joseph “Beep” Dougherty and Claudia Dougherty.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to The Western Plains Library Association, 501 S. 28th, Clinton, OK 73601
A graveside service will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Hinton on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 1:00 PM.
Services are under the direction of Turner Funeral Home, Hinton, OK, condolences may be sent to the family at [email protected], turnerfh.net or you can find us on Facebook (Turner Funeral Homes).
