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I miss you every day. Happy birthday to my beautiful and brilliant Aunt Bev.

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We love you

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We love you

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We love you

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We love you

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We love you

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Happy Birthday, Beverly. I think of you daily.  💕💕💕💕💕

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Bev was my best friend for more than 20 years. I remember moving in my first house in ATL - completely alone. I had forgotten to have the utilities transferred so on moving day I sat in the kitchen floor, crying in the dark and wondering what in the world I had gotten myself in to. I heard a knock at the door and this woman I barely knew came barging  in. She was wearing overalls and toting a basket of cheese, bread, cookies and of course Chardonnay.  Bev looked around, "Let's get this wallpaper stripped first, I hate it!" So began our long, loyal, loving relationship. She was the big sister I never had. Bev was always brutally honest but kind, she loved hard and she hurt hard; yet she had an amazing capacity to forgive. We talked nearly every day at least once and usually two or three times. The phone rings and I still expect to hear her, "Whatcha doin'?" I miss her grace, her humor, her advice, I miss Bev. I always will!  I feel fortunate to have experienced her incredible friendship and most of all her love.  

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Bev was my best friend for more than 20 years. I remember moving in my first house in ATL - completely alone. I had forgotten to have the utilities transferred so on moving day I sat in the kitchen floor, crying in the dark and wondering what in the world I had gotten myself in to. I heard a knock at the door and this woman I barely knew came barging  in. She was wearing overalls and toting a basket of cheese, bread, cookies and of course Chardonnay.  Bev looked around, "Let's get this wallpaper stripped first, I hate it!" So began our long, loyal, loving relationship. She was the big sister I never had. Bev was always brutally honest but kind, she loved hard and she hurt hard; yet she had an amazing capacity to forgive. We talked nearly every day at least once and usually two or three times. The phone rings and I still expect to hear her, "Whatcha doin'?" I miss her grace, her humor, her advice, I miss Bev. I always will!  I feel fortunate to have experienced her incredible friendship and most of all her love.  

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I talked to my mom every day for the past twenty years, most days more than once. She knew everything going in my life and I listened as she told me everything going on in hers, most stories I had already heard earlier that week but I still listened. I called her when things were great and she called me when she knew they weren’t. She was the first phone call I’d get every birthday morning and she wouldn’t stop singing until she made it all the way through the happy birthday song. She knew when I was sad and would call and I’d hear “just want makes that little old ant think he’ll move that rubber tree plant..”. She was always on my side. When I was in a relationship “she loved them” when I wasn’t “she knew they weren’t right for me” but secretly she still loved them. She called me 20 seconds after she would text me to make sure I got the text. It always drove me crazy but now I already miss it. 



She was the best Mom I could have ever asked for. She loved me and my boys unconditionally. I am so grateful for the life she gave me and the man she helped me become. I love you Mom.

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Bevy Lou (Dennis’s nickname for Bev) .  I know you are an angel in heaven watching over all of us .  Rest In Peace dear friend .  💕

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This was taken in Little Italy when we both happened to be in NYC; we were both with friends and I can remember having so much fun and laughing at dinner with her and people I had never met before.  She had a gift for bringing people together and uniting them with her infectious laugh, usually to the point of tears.  It’s easy to see why she is the favorite aunt for so many of us.

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Aunt Bev, more than anyone else I’ve known, possessed the gift of relating to the people in her life by encouraging their interests and passions and bringing out their best in her presence.  From an early age, Bev championed my aspirations and goals.  I was lucky enough to have her take me to London as my graduation gift, where we took in shows and the ballet (when this photo was taken).  There are too many incredible memories from our trips over the years to recount, but the common thread that runs through all of them is Bev’s zeal for life and the warmth of her support and love.

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Christmas every year at your home was a memory I will cherish forever. As a child I always looked forward to the wonderful time we enjoyed. You raised amazing children and Always made us feel welcome in your home. I will forever remember the well placed sign in your kitchen “anything that takes me 2 hrs to cook, should at least take you 20 min to eat". Will miss you forever!  Thank you for being part of my life!

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I am so sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to Beverly before she passed. She was a wonderful mentor to me at Scientific Games and More Business. I learned so much from watching her work.  She was smart, funny, adventurous and full of energy. I was lucky to know her and call her my friend. ❤️
To all of Bev’s family - you are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
-Annie Lindsay

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I always liked this picture of Bev. It was taken at one of beach vacations. It shows what a lovely person she was both inside and out.

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Bev more than just the favorite aunt to our girls. She was a friend, mentor, and sounding board. She knew all their secrets because they knew they could trust her. And I would like to think she gave them sage advice but some things are better not known. I will always be grateful that our girls always had a place to go to when they didn’t want to go to me.

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Whether it was at the beach, on a ski trip, New York, San Francisco or just hanging out at each other’s house we always had a great time. Bev was more than just a good friend. She was a member of our family and I will always be grateful for her love and friendship. In the words of Mitch Albom, Death ends a life, not a relationship. I will remember her forever as the best friend a girl/family could have.

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She was my buddy. This one hurts. So very sad. Really glad I called and had a chance to speak with her for over an hour in April about our wonderful, memorable times together during our Scientific Games (SGI), Oklahoma Lottery and More Business Solutions years. She was more, so much more, than a “client.” She was a very special friend. Though time, distance and change at SGI combined to keep us apart, I will forever hold a special place in my heart for Bev and her family. From Pam’s and my perspective, Bev touched our lives in ways that cannot be adequately expressed in a social media post. As I heard someone say once, and hopefully it’s appropriate here, “Don’t cry because it’s over…Smile because it happened.” May God rest your soul, Bev!!!

Jim, Mark, Josh, Ryland, Winston, Bernie, Rocky and your entire family, may God give you strength and comfort at this most difficult time. And to her "two boys" and "her grandchildren" (about whom she always spoke glowingly with me about each of you)...may your mom's / Nona's vibrant, beautiful spirit live within you, for allowing it to do so will bring light and and life to others you will touch in your everyday encounters.

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Awaiting our flight

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We always looked forward to our Christmas time visit with Aunt Bev

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Bev took me to Barcelona to celebrate my high school graduation.  I was going through some growing pains at school and Bev was able to talk to me with love and provide invaluable guidance.  We had a blast.  We made so many memories on that trip including some crazy Bev lines that still crack me up!

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Mother’s Day 2017

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The Disney trip when someone on the shuttle asked me and my mom how long we had been married 😂

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Beverly Hughes of Canton, Georgia, died Friday August 7, 2020, in the comfort of her home with her two sons, Josh and Mark, and Josh’s girlfriend Chelsea by her side.  Beverly, Bevy, Bev, Aunt Bev, Nona, Mom—however known, she was much admired and loved by family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and just about anyone else who encountered her. She was the best.

Born Beverly Jane Krokus September 10, 1950, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Bernard “Bernie” and Josephine “Peppy” Krokus, Bevy was confident, headstrong, and full of energy early on.  Her first day of kindergarten her teacher called Peppy and had her pick Bevy up because she adamantly refused to take a nap—too boring!  She went to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Elementary and Bethlehem Catholic High School.  She had a horse, danced, and visited the seashore, which she loved for life.  In her school days she carried on with her brothers Bernie Jr. and Rocky and her girlfriends.  She drove a white Mustang and dug rock ‘n’ roll.  She liked to dress up and pose.  In old photos her expressions were the same ones she had throughout her whole life—she had a wonderful genuine smile—and the captions she wrote on the backs were clever, goofy, and cute.  Beverly was funny and a real trip.

After two years of the sweetest correspondence you could imagine, James “Jim” Hughes—they met in junior high—returned from Vietnam.  Bev and Jim got married, and not long after their first son Joshua was born.  One of the first among her friends and family to have a child, Beverly took Joshua everywhere.  Not quite three years later her second son Mark was born.  She loved being a mom her whole life.  She adored her children, and later her two grandsons, plus her nephews, nieces, and her friends’ children too.  She was a cool mom, who was always happy to have her sons’ friends over, no matter how weird or standoffish they might have been—she could goose anyone into cracking a smile—providing endless comfort, food, and jokes.

After almost ten years of being a full-time mom, Bev went back to work.  Whether making up for lost time or natural ambition (likely both), she quickly climbed the ranks at Bell Telephone, taking any and all courses she could to learn new skills and take on more responsibility.  Later she moved into the lottery business, where she would excel for nearly thirty years.  Her archives are filled with letters of commendation, appreciation, and thanks.  She cut through the B.S., put people at ease, and worked her behind off.  You could see her closest coworkers were in slight awe of her, though she would have dismissed it; for her it was about getting stuff done while staying true to herself.  Obviously.

She loved to travel.  With Jim, Josh, and Mark they camped, skied, and went to the shore with Harry and Diane, Lisa and Gary, Pat and Dennis, and their kids.  Work took her throughout the U.S. and to Scotland, Norway, and Austria.  She celebrated her 50th birthday with a week in Rome with her sons and their friends.  She and her girlfriends laughed and drank through NAPA Valley many times.  She could lay on the beach all day.

Despite her low-key jet-set lifestyle, Beverly consistently made time to see her family and friends all over the country.  She knew what everyone was up to, all the husbands and wives and kids’ names, what kind of trouble people were getting into and out of, the latest drama and successes of former neighbors and colleagues across many generations.  She was a confidant to many, frank and open, with no subject off limits, even difficult ones, providing advice and support without hesitation.

At her home everyone was welcome.  Jim and Bev divorced after 27 years, but he was still invited to every holiday meal, as was Mark’s ex-wife, their new partners, their kids, friends of their kids, a neighbor or two, current and former coworkers… you get the picture.  She needed a small army there to eat all that lasagna, chicken parmesan, pasta, steak, casseroles, apple pies, and other delicious food she whipped up like nobody’s business.  Nothing seemed to give her more pleasure than bringing people together and stuffing them with food, accompanied by a lot of laughs.

Beverly was a superstar, and it’s sure to have crossed many people’s mind that there was an even grander life out there for her.  Even she thought that sometimes.  But her life was the grandest.  So admired and so loved, she invested her gifts in everyone around her, inspiring them to do better, take on the challenges that faced them, and have fun.  Her personality was infectious, affecting even people that only encountered her for a short time.  The world is left a better place because of her.  She will be much missed and long remembered.  Wherever she is now, you can be sure she is taking charge and cracking jokes.

She is survived by her two sons Joshua Hughes and Mark Hughes, her two grandsons Ryland and Winston, her ex-husband James Hughes, her brothers Bernard “Bernie” Krokus Jr. and Bruce “Rocky” Krokus, and her many nephews and nieces.

Per her wishes there will be no memorial service.  Her ashes will be scattered in the ocean.  If you would like to make a donation in her honor, please consider Loving Arms Cancer Outreach, where she last worked.

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Beverly has asked that anyone seeking to make a donation in her honor to so to Loving Arms - a local organization that brought her so much joy and meaning to work for: https://lovingarms.support/donate/https://lovingarms.support/donate/

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My loves

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I was looking for an email I'd sent Aunt Bev years ago, it contained something flattering I'd written about her in a paper I wrote for grad school. In my search for this email I found countless emails between us and I was shocked at some of the content - it was so open, so free, uncensored.   She was my aunt and she was one of my best friends. The emails I found were like our weekly phone conversations - frank, funny, nothing off limits.  Aunt Bev has been my epitome of grace, sophistication, compassion, and beauty. And add on top of that she was my role model by being highly driven, intelligent,  and hilarious.  She taught me to stand up for myself, and for other people - and to not be afraid to disagree. She taught me to take walks after I ate so I could digest my food better.  She taught me that putting on some eyeliner will always make me feel better.  Who gets to have that type of intimate friendship-relationship with their aunt? I am so grateful for the luck of having been born her niece. She taught me to tell those I love how much I love them at every opportunity and to always make the extra effort. Aunt Bev I love you forever. Thank you.

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I was looking for an email I'd sent Aunt Bev years ago, it contained something flattering I'd written about her in a paper I wrote for grad school. In my search for this email I found countless emails between us and I was shocked at some of the content - it was so open, so free, uncensored.   She was my aunt and she was one of my best friends. The emails I found were like our weekly phone conversations - frank, funny, nothing off limits.  Aunt Bev has been my epitome of grace, sophistication, compassion, and beauty. And add on top of that she was my role model by being highly driven, intelligent,  and hilarious.  She taught me to stand up for myself, and for other people - and to not be afraid to disagree. She taught me to take walks after I ate so I could digest my food better.  She taught me that putting on some eyeliner will always make me feel better.  Who gets to have that type of intimate friendship-relationship with their aunt? I am so grateful for the luck of having been born her niece. She taught me to tell those I love how much I love them at every opportunity and to always make the extra effort. Aunt Bev I love you forever. Thank you.

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Rome 50th Birthday

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Waiting for Jim’s letters home, while he was in Vietnam.