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Beatrice Hughes passed from this life on December 21, 2020. Bea was an indomitable spirit, a workhorse warrior, who was always meticulously groomed, even for a casual trip to the store. Her family thought she was indestructible.
Bea was born at home, off a dirt road, deep up a holler in Doddridge County, West Virginia, on February 16, 1929. Raised by her grandmother, she survived the "Great Depression shucking walnuts, forgoing shoes, and wearing a flour sack for clothes.
Without much formal education, through the dint of hard work, she made her way to Weirton, West Virginia, where she met and married the father of her four daughters, Glenn "Buddy" Hughes. Tragedy struck all too soon. Her husband died at thirty-two years of age, leaving her with three girls under six and six months pregnant with the youngest.
Everyone who knew Bea recalls her as the hardest worker they had ever known. To support her family, she bartended and dealt cards in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. She owned a gas station, and her own race car, even winning a trophy.
When the opportunity presented itself, while working full time, she earned her GED and took computer courses at the inception of data processing. She was hired at Weirton Steel and worked there for almost twenty-eight years, working doubles and even triple shifts.
When Weirton Steel was bought out, and she lost her job, she had no time for despair, putting her nose to the grindstone, opening up another business, the VIP lounge, which she successfully operated for several years, sometimes working twenty hours a day.
She worked until she was 82 years old, running different establishments in the tri-state area. Her motto was "work hard and play hard."
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Glenn Hughes, her daughter, Candace Drummond, and her long term companion, Robert Kalupa.
She is survived by her daughters, Glenda (Stephen) Tabone, Frances (Cesare) D'Emilio, and Tammy Birkhimer, and her six grandchildren, Autumn Drummond, Katelyn, and Vincent Tabone, Bradley and Cara Birkhimer, and Ian Hedges, and three great-grandchildren, Taylor Birkhimer, and Jordon and Jace Stanton.
Her children wish to recognize her life long friend, Jill Rowe, and her spiritual guide Rita Wright. They want to thank the Villa Vista and Valley hospice care staff for the care they provided Bea.Beatrice will always remain in their heart.
Private family visitation and prayers will be held on Wednesday evening at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home with William Wright.