Shirley Marie Hughes, 82, went to be with her Savior, Christ Jesus, on July 21, 2021. She died peacefully at her home in Sitka, Alaska, with family beside her.

She was born on Nov. 20, 1938, in Juneau, Alaska to Orrin and Myrtle (Feero) Edwards. She spent the majority of her childhood in Skagway, Alaska and graduated from Skagway Public School in 1956. 

Shortly after graduation she married Kenneth Justin. Ken’s work for C&R Builders took them to Juneau where their daughter, Sharon, was born. In 1957, they moved to Sitka for Ken’s work on the construction of the ALP pulp mill. During the next six years, three more children were born to them, Randall, Kenneth Jr. and Sheila. Her marriage to Ken ended in 1973.

In 1974, Shirley and her children moved to Juneau where she started working at a friend’s bakery. That move led her to marry the love of her life, Samuel Hughes, in 1977. Together they owned and operated Sam’s Bakery until they retired and moved to Lexington, Tennessee to raise cows. After Sam’s passing in 2017, Shirley moved back to Sitka to be close to family. She enjoyed Bible study, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, crocheting, playing games and feeding her beloved cows peppermint candies. Her cows came running when they heard the sound of a peppermint candy being unwrapped.

She was preceded in death by husband: Samuel Hughes, brother: David Edwards, sons: Randall Justin, Kenneth Justin Jr. and daughter: Sheila Chatriand.

She is survived by brothers: John Edwards of Skagway and Alan Edwards (Lisa) of Altavista, Virginia. Daughter: Sharon Byrd (Don) Granddaughters: Miranda Littlefield (Victor) and Melinda Cagle (Jamey) of Sitka. Granddaughters: Amanda Ebert (Jason) of Bozeman, Montanna, Kari Neiman (Bob) of Plains, Montanna, Samantha Strecker (Jordan) of Big Horn, Montanna and Bobbi Neumann (Tanner) of Whitehall, Montanna. Great-grandchildren include: Alex Cagle, Ellie Cagle, Chloe Cagle, Hunter Littlefield, Lilly Ebert, Katie Ebert, Allie Ebert, Finn Neiman, Dillon Neiman, Westyn Strecker, Tenley Strecker and Grayson Neumann. Great-great-grandchild: Layla Robinson.

Her family was blessed to have her back in Sitka to enjoy having five generations of family all together for the last days of her life.

Due to COVID the family will be having a private service at a later date.