Johnnie Virginia Ervin Hughes

Johnnie Virginia Ervin Hughes, 92, of Castle Rock, Colo., formerly of Beebe, Ark., passed away Thursday, June 16 in Denver, Colo., surrounded by her close family. Virginia was born on July 11, 1923 to William Andrew Ervin "Bill" and Mattie Pearl Jones Ervin "Pearl" in McRae, Ark. She was the second born of four sisters: Bobbie, Bill and Lucile. Virginia graduated from McRae Public Schools in 1939. She went on to graduate from nursing school in 1945 and in 1971 became the first school nurse of Beebe Public Schools. During her time as Beebe School nurse, she implemented new programs such as immunization recording and speech and hearing testing. She also touched many lives during her time there and in one infamous incident even saved the finger of the now current Beebe School Systems Superintendent. Her greatest passion in life was always the caring of others. Her nursing career involved all areas of the nursing profession from OB and delivery to surgery which led to her becoming the first night supervisor at the White County Memorial Hospital in Searcy, Ark. Even with her impressive career life, Virginia's greatest accomplishment was the care of her friends and her family. She was devoted to her small family and loved them fiercely. She was a woman that had never met a stranger, could always tell a joke, and would never tell you her age because, "A woman that will tell her age will tell anything." She loved life, most people and thoroughly made her mark in life. If you had met Virginia once, you wouldn't be likely to forget her. Virginia was survived by her only daughter, Judy Oakley and her granddaughter, Donna Bednar and husband, Darren Bednar; her step grandchildren: Dennis Oakley, Becky Irico, and Drake Oakley; also by her great-grandson, Jesse Moore and wife, Kristen Moore and her great-granddaughter, Michelle Moore; her step great-grandsons, Cody Bednar and wife, Brittany Bednar and Tyler Bednar. Virginia is also survived by her great-great-grandchildren: Dean Moore, Avery Cardin and Raydin Bednar. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, 407 Jerry Street. Castle Rock, CO 80104. Virginia will be laid to rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock, Colo. immediately following the service.