Frances Laverne Hughey, 85, of Marshall, Texas, died on May 2, 2020. Laverne was born on June 11, 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana to her parents, John T. and Carrie Frances Hedrick. As a young child, she moved to Greenville, Texas and later graduated from Greenville High School.  She attended ETSTC Commerce, Kilgore Junior College and Lee College at Baytown.  She married her high school sweetheart, Joe Hughey in 1951.  Laverne and Joe lived in Galena Park, Houston, Dallas and Marshall.

Laverne worked as a medical secretary at Phillips Clinic in Greenville, and later at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. When Joe finished law school, they returned to Marshall.  Laverne was a member of several civic organizations over the years, but was most involved with The Humane Society of Harrison County and Master Gardeners of Marshall.  She wrote the popular animal welfare column, The Pet Corner in the Marshall News Messenger for many years.  She worked tirelessly for animal welfare raising money through grants, individual donations and projects, including Paws to Recycle.

Laverne enjoyed travel, opera and theatre as well as the daily newspaper crossword puzzle. In her younger days, she played tennis and loved to dance.  She was a member of Eastern Hills Church of Christ.

Laverne was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years Joe Hughey; her mother and step-father Jack and Carrie Mullins. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Laska Medina and Jacque McBride; her brother-in-law, Phil Hughey; special friends, Jim and Alana Williams; and her beloved cat, Minnie.  In light of COVID 19 social distancing, a memorial service at Downs Funeral Home is planned for a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the "Friends of Marshall Animals" in support of the new no-kill shelter in Marshall.