Verna L. Hughes

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by clicking here at 2:00 PM, MST.

Verna Louise Clifton Hughes went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the evening of December 10, 2023.
Verna Louise was born to Annie Louise and John Leslie Clifton May 8, 1931 in Alto NM. Verna lived in Shallowater as a young child and later lived Carlsbad NM. She attended elementary school and high school in Carlsbad.  She met Marion Hughes from Dog Canyon, the love her life, when he saw her milking a cow off of Standpipe Street. She was the girl next door to his brother's wife Ima Dale's family. Now she had a reason to visit in Dog Canyon! Verna and Marion planned a June wedding but waited until July 6th 1949 to get married until after niece Bonnie was born. Their first year of married life was spent living in a tent, building tanks on the ranch. She lived 73 years on the Hughes ranch in Dog Canyon. 
Verna raised 4 children in Dog Canyon.
Pam, Salty, Brad and AJ. After the one-room school closed Verna drove a 60-passenger bus 70 miles to Carlsbad picking up students all the way to town. While in town during the day she sold Avon, becoming the top sales lady in the southwest region. She loved people and never knew a stranger.
Verna's faith is known to everyone that knew her.  She taught Sunday school at home and took the family to the one room school once a month for church services.
Canasta and spades games were always on the weekly agenda with family visits!
After moving to Good Life assisted living, Verna was instrumental in starting church services weekly in the facility!
Marion preceded her in death January 27, 2021. She is also preceded in death by parents, her 2 brothers Raymond Clifton, Melvin Clifton, her sister Valda Tafoya, son Brad Hughes, a granddaughter Tamara Ormand, and great grandson Cort Hughes.
She is survived by daughter Pam and husband Danny Butler of Loraine TX; son Salty Hughes and wife Debbie of Dog Canyon; son AJ Hughes and wife Amy of Millersburg IN; daughter in law Tracy Hughes of Carlsbad NM.  Seven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive her.
Services will be held at Guadalupe Christian Camp. Lunch will be served at noon, with celebration of life service at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 13, 2023, and burial following at family cemetery on the Hughes ranch in Dog Canyon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guadalupe Christian Camp, 56 Christian Camp Road, Queen Route, Carlsbad, NM 88220