Obituary of Willie Mae Hughes

In the early morning hour of June 22, 2023, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Nanny and friend, was called home peacefully at the age of 99 years 8 months and 18 days.

Willie Mae Hughes was born in Garvin County, Oklahoma on October 5, 1923 as the first child of Lenford Harvey and Mary Matilda Frizzell. She was the mother of three, Carl Ray Liebes, Sherry Lynn Ainsworth, and Zena Udlehoven.

Willie Mae served in the US Army during WWII as a mechanic. After the war she wore many hats including a Nurse, cake decorator, business owner, and teaching skin sewing at Kenai Community College.

She had an amazing life and a passion for traveling. She has been to six continents and over 23 countries. Among her favorite places were the holy lands, Europe and her African safari.

Willie Mae was a “people Person” and had many, many friends. She had so much love to give and was loved by all in return.

She also had a passion for sewing and quilting and made hundreds of quilts in her lifetime. All were given away to family, friends, orphanages, homeless shelters and anyone else in need.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Lenford and Mary Frizzell, her brothers Lenford Jr and Richard Frizzell and her sisters Mary Loretta Frizzell, Geneva Gordon and Charlotte Tharp.  She leaves behind her three children, Carl, Sherry, and Zena, and a sister Wanda Sue. She was the proud Grandmother to to twelve and a great-grandmother [Nanny], a great-great grandmother and a triple great grandmother to many children. She loved them all dearly as they loved her. She also leaves behind our golden doodle, Zoe who really misses her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.