Melva Gay Hughes

Melva Gay Hughes went home to be with the Lord on Friday, August 21, 2026. She was born in Goodwins Ferry, Virginia on November 28, 1938, to the late Dorsie Lee and Annie Louise Smith Duncan. In addition to her parents, Melva was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Louise; spouses, Donny Hughes, Lawrence Huff, and Titus Smith; two brothers, Allen Duncan and Woody Duncan; and sisters, Anna Jean Sexton, Emily Graham, and Peggy Graham. She was the last of her siblings to pass. She is survived by her daughter and caregiver Wanda (David) Whittaker; grandsons Greg (Alison) and Jeffery (Kellie); great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, JT, Mason, and Julie; father-in-law, Jim Foley, brother-in-law, Bruce Foley (Sonja); sisters-in-law, Mozelle Sizemore and Dianne Simpson; special nieces and nephews, Charlotte Breeding, Shelby Lucas, Rhonda Carroll, Lori Okes, Robin Thompson, Jeff Rogers, and James Graham; and other numerous relatives. She sang in Gospel groups and with her sisters who were known as the Duncan Sisters on the radio. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Affinity Hospice Group for the care they provided to Melva. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the Smith Family Cemetery with the Rev. Dallas Vines officiating.