Juanell Carroll Hughes, born July 7, 1933 in Center, Texas, left this world for the glory of Heaven on November 13, 2025, at the age of 92. The daughter of Clyde Clifton Carroll and Lillie Edison Carroll, Juanell was a devoted wife, mother, Mimmie and friend. A home-cooked meal was the love language she spoke most fluently, as she hosted weekly meals for her family well into her 90's. In turn, she received the kind of love she longed for most: quality time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Juanell was a faithful member of both First Baptist Church of Waskom, Texas and Open Range Fellowship of Greenwood, Louisiana. She was an asset to the Waskom community, even though she lived much of her life a mile into Louisiana on Highway 80 on the family homeplace her father purchased in 1948. While mother and homemaker was her proudest profession, Juanell worked at Selber Brothers Department Store and Rudd Chevrolet in her younger years as well as a stint as a waitress at the Waskom Cafe where a handsome oil worker caught her eye and later took her hand in marriage. Juanell was married to her dear husband, Elton Hughes, for 41 years before he passed away in 1992. Elton and Juanell had numerous business ventures including a skating rink and an oil production company, Hughes Supplies, Inc., but their proudest accomplishment was raising their two children, Linda and Buddy.

Juanell was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Lillie Carroll, her siblings, Lillian Irene Carroll and Lafate Clyde "Sonny" Carroll, her husband, James Elton Hughes, and her son, James Elton "Buddy" Hughes, Jr.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Linda Hughes Hamiter; her daughter-in-law of 30 years, Karla Hughes Smith; her bonus daughters, Billie Collins (Hubert) and JoAnn Bayliss (Sam), her grandchildren, Kelly Hamiter McClary (Jeff), Sheryl Hamiter Gamboa (Jeremy), Matt Hughes (Shields), Tara Collins Lankford (Glenn), Traci Collins Almond (Bryan), her great-grandchildren, PV2 Ethan Mesloh, Drea Gamboa, Addyson "AJ" Gamboa, Huck Hughes, Walker Hughes, 1st Lt. Stone Crisp (Kim), Evey Crisp Shelton (Daniel), Emma Crisp, Henley Almond, Bryson Almond, Lane McClary, and Cade McClary, several great-great grandchildren, as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Family, faith and legacy were cornerstones of Juanell's life. Raised during the Great Depression, she understood the value of a dollar and the honor in hard work. Until she suffered a stroke in early 2025, Juanell could be found tending her garden, checking on the cows and making sure her family and friends were well fed (and well behaved). She will be greatly missed, but the family takes comfort in the thought of her reunited with her departed loved ones and her Savior, Jesus Christ. The family would like to thank Marquita from Gentiva Hospice and compassionate caregivers: Serena, Ruby, Azzie, Grace, and Bernadette, who helped keep Juanell comfortable in her final months.

Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, with a service following at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Waskom,185 Colquitt St. Waskom, Texas 75692. Internment will follow at Restland Cemetery in Waskom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to First Baptist Church of Waskom or Open Range Fellowship of Greenwood, Louisiana would be appreciated.

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die" (John 11:25-26).