Paulina Beth Hughes

PAULINA BETH “POLLY” HUGHES, 89, of Ripley, West Virginia passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025, after a short illness.

Born on December 12, 1935, to Dr. Russel Kessel and Pauline Kessel in Charleston, West Virginia, Polly grew up on the West Side of Charleston. She attended Stonewall Jackson High School, where she was a majorette, and graduated in 1953. She went on to attend West Virginia University. While at WVU she was a member and vice president of the Chi Omega sorority and president of Mortar Board. She was a member of several other honorary academic societies and clubs. She graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in Journalism in 1957. More importantly at WVU she met the love of her life, James T. Hughes from Spencer, West Virginia. They were married on August 9, 1958, and embarked together on an incredible life and journey.

After living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where her husband finished medical school, Pensacola, Florida where Jim was stationed in the Navy as a Flight Surgeon, and in Morgantown, West Virginia, where Dr. Hughes finished up his medical residency, they settled in Ripley in 1967, where Jim established a thriving medical practice that lasted until his retirement in 2003. He could not have been successful in his practice and career without the strength and hard work of his devoted wife, Polly. She was tasked with taking kids to ball games, golf matches, scouting meetings, and all manner of childhood activities while keeping strict order at home, which allowed Jim to work very long hours in his very busy practice. Prior to becoming an elite homemaker in Ripley, Polly worked as a secretary in Philadelphia for Kirk Engineering. She worked as a writer and reporter for the Charleston Daily Mail newspaper for a year after graduating from college. She was an excellent writer, always with proper grammar and punctuation!

Polly was a constant presence in the Ripley community. In her words she was a “born volunteer.” She served on Ripley City Council and was a Recorder for the City of Ripley. She was active in the Jackson County Building Commission, Jackson General Hospital Foundation, American Heart Association, Cedar Hills Garden Club, Ripley Garden Club, GFWC Junior Women’s Club, Jackson County Gazebo Foundation, West Virginia Women’s Golf Association, and Green Hills Women’s Golf Association. She was a talented golfer who carded two hole in ones in her lifetime, both at Green Hills Country Club. She was the Women’s Club Champion in 1972. She was a frequent and popular performer in the Kith ‘n Hills local theatre in Jackson County where she acted and sang in too many Broadway musicals to mention. Her most memorable starring role was when she played Gypsy Rose Lee in “Gypsy” in 1980. She also worked tirelessly behind the scenes in that popular, and very talented, theatre group. She was also one of the early members of the Charleston Light Opera Guild, along with her sister Jenny.

Both she and Jim had an entire army of very close friends who went on many adventures together, including WVU games, ski trips, tennis and golf trips, and cruises. She was an avid WVU fan, always rooting positively but knowing the outcome was frequently disappointing. Her catch phrase, which she got from her father, was “There’s always next year.” Polly loved her friends dearly and was deeply saddened when slowly but surely, they began to pass away before she did. Each passing broke her heart. Anyone who met and spent any time with Polly was made better for the experience. She was the consummate entertainer who always made everyone feel welcome and loved. She hosted interesting and sometimes epic parties, whether at home or at “the Lake” in Ripley. She was totally selfless, always concerned about your wants and needs but never thinking about herself. She loved her family dearly and cherished every moment with her 5 grandchildren.

Most importantly, Polly was a devout Christian and was very active in the life of her church, Epworth United Methodist Church in Ripley. She served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, was active in the United Methodist Women, served on the Church Council, and was a frequent attendee at the annual United Methodist Charge Conference. She was a lifetime member of the Chancel Choir at Epworth and served for years as the director of the Junior Choir. She also co-directed a large Show Choir of youth that toured throughout the Southeast in the mid-1980s.

Polly was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Russel Kessel, her mother, Pauline Kessel, her sister, Jenny Kessel Cross, daughter-in-law Christine Hughes, father-in-law Howard Hughes, and brother-in-law Bruce Parrish.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 66 years, Dr. James T. Hughes, sons Rusty and Ben (Kara) Hughes, grandchildren Dylan (fiancé Dominique) Hughes, Tyler Hughes, Ellie Hughes, Kelly Beth Hughes and Rocco Hughes, and her sister-in-law Alice Parrish, along with many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm Friday February 21, 2025 at the Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley.

A memorial service and celebration of Polly’s life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, Ripley with Pastors Kerry Bart and Ken Krimmel officiating.

There will be a gathering after the service at the church with light refreshments. In lieu of flowers Polly would appreciate a donation to Epworth UMC, 299 N. Church Street, Ripley, WV 25271.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers Polly would appreciate a donation to Epworth UMC, 299 N. Church Street, Ripley, WV 25271.