Earth is a bit envious of Heaven today… as Mrs. Leola Marie Hughes, 86 of Muskogee, Oklahoma slipped into eternity. Leola was lovingly referred to as "Lola". Her friends described her as a "Steel Magnolia," soft spoke, sweet and generous to a vault, compassionate, imaginative, spirited, the salt of the earth and most importantly grounded in God's Love. Leola attended her church, "Christ of the World" faithfully until her health wavered but took her role as church mother very serious.

Lola was born on September 26, 1928 in Braggs, Ok to Samuel Wheat and Lessie Ball- Baldridge. She was the oldest of four girls. Lee Ester Thompson (deceased) of Kansas City, KS. Alma Jean Moss (deceased) of Muskogee, OK and Wheatie Perkins of Oklahoma City, OK.

Leola attended Chapel elementary School in Braggs, OK, where she developed a love for learning. During her years at Lincoln High School in Fort Gibson her desire for caring for those in need and ill health was developed. The desire to care for others complimented her desires for nursing when she moved to Muskogee, OK. Leola worked for many years as an LPN at Azalea Manor and Chandler Convalescent Center.

If you wanted to see those beautiful brown eyes light up, just watch her as her only son or one of four daughters entered the room. She looked at them as if they were "New Money" and her grandchildren were the only grandchildren in the world. They were her reason for being.

Academics and community activities were her passions as she made certain all her children were educated and exposed to life beyond her beloved Muskogee. No child was left hungry or hurting in 'Reeves Addition' as '1928 Chicago St.' was "Kid Central" funded by Leola.

The Roughers have lost a true sports fan in Leola; she revered the Muskogee Roughers as if they were professional football players.

We are left to remember Leola through the childhood stories she told us.… of how she'd let her hair blow in the wind, while she rode her painted colored horse; hearing her dad say, "Re", don't ride to hard," when she did just the opposite when she was out of his sight.

Her grandson Donald Braggs preceded her in death.

Her legacy includes: A son, Willie L. Green, U.S. Navy-Retired (Michelle, RN) of Corpus Christi, TX and four daughters, Marilyn Green-Bostick of Austin, TX, Jerri Green-Chavis of Chicago, Il, Ramona Stanford(Donald) of Muskogee OK, and Carrie Jean Long-Morris of Muskogee, OK and One sister Wheatie Perkins of Oklahoma City, OK .

Grandchildren: Weslyn Dawson-Alvarez, Re'Mona Smith, Darryl Morris, Leslie J. Shegon (Leko), Jeremy Chavis, Brittanie M. Green, Michael Stanford (Ladarra), Samuel Green, Christopher Morris (Ebony), Ricci Bostick and Joshua Stanford.

Great Grandchildren: Amador Alvarez Jr., Ra'Monie Smith, Marec Alvarez, Harmonye Ramona Kay Stanford, and Ethan J. Shegog. Also a special Betty McCrary

Step-grandchildren: LaQuisha Martin, T.T. Martin, and Eric Martin.

The Sacred Farewell will be on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. in the Macedonia Baptist Church. Reverend Larry H. Smith, Sr., is the Pastor, Reverend Isaiah Thompson, Eulogist, Reverend Henry A. McVay, Officiating.

You may visit Mrs. Hughes on Monday from 12 Noon until 6 PM at the funeral home.