Lucille Baker (Mason) Hughes

Lucille (Mason) Baker Hughes, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away peacefully at Fireside House of Centralia at 4:20 P.M. on Thursday, November 28, 2019.  She was 99 years of age.

Lucille was the daughter of Thomas J. and Marie (Anderson) Mason. She was born on July 22, 1920, in Flora, Illinois.  She married Raymond Oscar Baker on November 4, 1937, in Union, Missouri and he preceded her in death on February 20, 1978.  She married Harvey H. Hughes, Sr. on September 1, 1980, in Centralia, Illinois and he preceded her in death on April 24, 2010.

With her husband Raymond, Lucille worked 18 years at Centralia’s J. C. Penney store as Shoe Department Manager helping families pick out the right shoes and the right fit, and you’d find her many evenings welcoming young and old at the Illinois Theater downtown. She was great with children, able to wink and lovingly cajole even the most challenging youngsters, a skill she used across four succeeding generations of her family. At home, her skills in the kitchen were absolutely amazing. A trip to grandma and grandpa’s house always included an epic meal, hearty farm style cooking complete with the best fruit pies, banana pudding, chocolate cake, and sweets one could imagine with goodies for the ride home. With husband Harvey, acquaintances for many years, Lucille spent many happy years traveling the country on assignment for a local hotel franchiser. It was a joy to see Lucille and Harvey stop by on one of their trips. They enjoyed many happy years of retirement together with family and friends.

Lucille was a member of First United Methodist Church in Centralia, Illinois.  She was always about providing service to the people of her community, as she volunteered as a Pink Lady at St. Mary’s Hospital and with the American Red Cross in Centralia, Illinois.  She previously was a member of Centralia Estates’ Advisory Board and the Centralia Order of Eastern Star.

Lucille was ever curious, well read, quick witted, and wise beyond measure. She was a light to those who knew her, unselfish, encouraging, inspiring, and just an amazing person. She will be missed and remembered fondly; a century of life well lived.

Lucille is survived by stepdaughter, Sandy Hughes Holtkamp and husband David Holtkamp of Centralia, Illinois; stepson, Harvey H. Hughes II of Centralia, Illinois; daughter-in-law, Gloria Baker of Champaign, Illinois; grandchildren, Raymond A. Baker and wife Amy Anderson Schoppe of St. Petersburg, Florida, Susan James and husband Mark James of St. James, Missouri and Ben Baker and wife Melissa Baker of St. Charles, Missouri; step-grandchildren, Kristina Shojaei-Serna of Henderson, Nevada, Suzan Shojaei-Tyberendt and husband Chris Tyberendt of Centralia, Illinois and Kevin Holtkamp of Las Vegas, Nevada; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Lucille in death are her parents, Thomas J. and Marie (Anderson) Mason; first husband, Raymond Oscar Baker; second husband, Harvey H. Hughes, Sr.; son, Raymond Eugene “Gene” Baker; brother, Thomas Mason; sister-in-law, Violet Mason; sister, Goldia Freeman and brother-in-law, Gerald Freeman.

A Celebration of Life Service for Lucille will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois with Reverend Sidney Davis officiating. Inurnment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia, Illinois. Family and Friends are invited to visit with Lucille’s family from 11:30 A.M. until the time of her service at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made in Lucille’s memory to the First United Methodist Church and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Those wishing to leave online condolences or share memories with Lucille’s family may do so at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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