Bertha Lee

Hughes

Bertha (affectionately known as "Aunt Bobbie") Howard-Hughes, a lifelong resident of Citronelle, Alabama, was born on March 25, 1939, to the late Mattie Roberts and the late Raymond Howard, Sr. On Friday, August 29, 2025, she peacefully departed this life.

Bobbie was a devoted wife of 52 years to the late Edward Lee Hughes, Sr. Together, they built a loving family and a legacy rooted in faith, service, and love. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend whose presence touched the lives of all who knew her.

A faithful servant of the Lord, Bobbie dedicated her life to Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, where she served tirelessly in numerous ministries, including:

Former Sunday School Teacher
Former Usher
Former President of the Church Choir
President of Shepard's Care Club
Former President of Missionaries & Matrons Society
Transportation/Bus Ministry
Edifice Beautification Committee
Food & Hospitality Ministry
Former Assistant Principal of Vacation Bible School

Bobbie pursued higher learning through a correspondence course with University of Florida, where she earned her Dietician Certificate. She worked many years as the Food Services Manager at the Citronelle Convalescent Home and later served as Assistant Food Service Manager at Rosa A. Lott Elementary School, retiring in 1983.

Gifted with many talents, Bobbie attended cake decorating school, catered countless events and weddings, and was widely known for her delicious home-cooked meals and elaborate cakes. She also found joy in floral arranging, wedding planning, sewing, and fishing as a skilled "Pro-Angler." Her adventurous spirit even led her to test-drive cars for a local dealership, indulging her love for speed and mechanics. She was also a proud member of the Excelsior Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Lee Hughes; her parents, Mattie Roberts and Raymond Howard, Sr.; her stepfather, Henry Roberts; three brothers, Raymond "Ray" Howard, Arvester Roberts, and Richard Howard; one sister, Hattie Beard; her grandmother, Florence Howard; her daughter, Shelia Richey; and her son, Eddie Hughes.

Bobbie's legacy will forever live on through her children: three sons, Harold Howard of Mobile, AL; Harold (Gloria) Hughes of Citronelle, AL; Edward (Evelyn) Hughes, Jr. of Flint, MI; and two daughters, Beverly Roberts of Stone Mountain, GA, and Cynthia Williams of Alpharetta, GA. She also leaves behind a surrogate daughter, Pamela (Van) Perry of Flint, MI.

She was the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren: Latrece Roberts, Shawonta (Chris) Bryant, Cesily Williams, Marcia Hughes, Shaunda (Leslie) Johnson, Tiffany Hughes, Giovanni R. Richey, Frederick Hughes, Tammy Hughes, Charmanay Hughes, Jamarcus Howard, Kedrick Howard, and Celess Monigan; and great-grandmother too many. She is also survived by her godsons, Ellory Hurd and Reginald Chapman, Jr. (devoted); two sisters, Deloris Green of Citronelle, AL, and Mattie Young of Mobile, AL; two brothers, George Howard of Chicago, IL, and Danny (Mary Ann) Roberts of Citronelle, AL (devoted); sister-in-law, Beverly Roberts of Citronelle, AL, and Mary Howard of Chicago, IL; Aunt Gladys Shepard of Citronelle, AL, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special devoted cousins include Charles (Donna) McCree and Glenn (Quincy) McCree of Citronelle, AL.

Bertha "Aunt Bobbie" Howard-Hughes will be remembered for her faith, her strength, her generosity, and her boundless love for family, church, and community. Her life was a living testimony of service, joy, and devotion to God.

A public visitation will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Citronelle, AL from 10:00 AM until the 12:00 PM funeral service. Interment will take place in the Mt. Nebo Cemetery.