Essie Mae Wheat Hughes, 91, a resident of Bogalusa, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. She was born on July 4, 1926, in Pickens County, Ala.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy Hughes of Bogalusa; four sons, Jack (Patsy) Hughes of Spanish Fort, Ala., Harry (Janell) Hughes of York, Ala., Andy (Aletrice) Hughes of Royse City, Texas, and Toby (Derinda) Hughes of Folsom; three sisters, Bessie Lee Windham, Evelyn Greene, and Sue Wheat; two brothers, Hubert Wheat and Hulon Wheat; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, and six step-great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, J.D. Hughes; her daughter, Sheila Crawford; her parents, Leland F. Wheat and Zettie Brazeal Wheat; her brothers and sisters, Norman Wheat, Harlon Wheat, Lanette Wheat and Lavera Willcutt; and by a granddaughter, Karen Renee Christopher.

Visitation will be held at Palestine Baptist Church on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Fred Brumfield officiating.

Visitation will continue on Monday, July 17, at Spring Hill Baptist Church, located at 18321 Spring Hill Church Road in Fayette, Ala., from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Robert Lee officiating. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home.

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To view and sign the register book, visit online at pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.