Glenetta Hughes' Obituary
Glenetta Hughes was born on March 9, 1937 to Thelma Lee Johnson Ruffins and Walter James Ruffins in Bristow, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of their two children, both girls. From a young age, Glenetta was charming, vivacious and determined. These characteristics followed her throughout her life. The family moved from Oklahoma to escape the Great Depression and settled in California. Together they worked in the fields of the Central Valley, and it is there that Glenetta gained a lasting understanding and appreciation for fresh, natural foods - vegetables and fruits and their impact on our health. The family moved to San Diego, where Glenetta and her older sister, Nellie, attended local schools in the area of San Diego formerly known as Frontier. Glenetta was very social, loved to talk and made friends easily. Being outgoing and somewhat mischievous, too, it has been reported humorously that Glenetta would get into tight spots that required a rescue mission by her protective big sis. Glenetta’s friendliness and sense of adventure led to some very important close friendships. She was the catalyst that brought together her young friend, Christine and her family to form a tight bound between their two families for life.
Glenetta met and married a young, Seventh Day Adventist, John Hughes, who introduced her to the Seventh Day Adventist (Adventist) church. While that relationship eventually ended, Glenetta retained a love of the Lord and her connection to the Adventist faith throughout her life. She became part of the nursing profession and always gave her best care to her patients. Glenetta had a brand of her own, unofficially. Her son, Derek, would say that she was “Martha Stewart” before Martha Stewart. Building on the teaching of the Adventist faith related to wholesome foods, and her own experience with fresh foods, gardening and health, Glenetta was excited to try new, unconventional recipes. She was a self-taught gourmet cook who also imparted her culinary techniques to her children, thus preserving her creative, epicurean legacy. Living across the street from her sister, she would invite family members over to try something new. “You’re going to love it” she would say to her children and their cousins when according to her children, all they wanted were hamburgers. We know now that what Glenetta was promoting back then, is the “in” thing now, so many years later. Glenetta was an artist who had an eclectic style. She had an easel in the corner of the living room and she would create paintings to hang on her walls. She enjoyed interior design as well and loved DIY before most people knew about Home Depot. One year her bathtub and sink would be white, the next season pink, or black. A portable fireplace would appear in the living room, only to be moved later. Glenetta influenced family and friends in so many ways. She proudly claimed that it was because of her initial friendship with the Wright’s, a trio of handsome brothers who came from Mexico and were just learning English, that her sister Nellie met one of the brothers who became her future husband and Glenetta’s brother-in-law. Christine’s daughter, Donna Rachelle, recounts how Glenetta helped her get ready for her senior prom, offered to paint her nails, and gave sage advice to “have fun but also be careful.” Glenetta’s influence was deep and important. She encouraged family members as teens to become involved with the Adventist faith, thus paving the way for their lifelong relationships with the Lord. Glenetta loved her family and friends. She loved to talk about everything: current events, politics, religion and health, and more. She enjoyed talking with loved ones about important subjects, freely expressing her opinions. There are so many things about Glenetta that will be sorely missed; and many of those conversations will stay with those she has loved and left behind. Glenetta was preceded in death by her father Walter James Ruffin, her mother Thelma Lee Johnson Ruffins, her sister Nellie Mae Wright, and her son, Marty Hughes. She leaves to mourn her – Sons: Delwin Cole, and Derek Williams (Elda); her daughter Tridae Hughes, grandchildren Michael Cole, Deanna Cole, Brandon Cole, Kourtney Victoria Powell (Ryon), Caleb Williams and Ethan Williams, as well as a host of cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.
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