Nova Jean Hughes, born June 1, 1932, age 75, daughter of the late Gene Othel and Opal Faye Cates Hughes, died February 22, 2009, at Carrus Hospital in Texoma Medical Center, Denison, Texas. Miss Hughes graduated from Whitewright High School and was the valedictorian of her 1949 graduating class. She attended Austin College and the University of Oklahoma, and was a civil service employee for 34 years with the Department of Defense in the Procurement, Ammunitions and Weapons Command until her retirement in 1984. Nova was a member of the First Baptist Church of Whitewright. Survivors are her sister, Carol Hughes Sandefur; brother, Ralph R. Hughes and wife Barbara; nephew, Edward Cates Hughes and wife Connie; niece, Rebecca Hughes Ferrill; great-nephew, Chris Hughes; great nieces Holly Hughes and Quincy Ferrill all of Whitewright; and several cousins. Reverend Leon Veazey, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Whitewright, will conduct the graveside service, at the City Cemetery of Whitewright at 11:00 A.M. February 24, 2009. The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. Until service time at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be James Claborn, Larry Threadgill, Brian Boaen, Bud Roach, Butch Murff, and Norman Travis. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at the First Baptist Church of Whitewright or donor's favorite charity.