Betty Jean Covich Hughes

Betty Jean Hughes, age 86, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Betty Jean was born in Biloxi, MS, on April 23, 1938. She was the seventh child born to Jerko (Jerry) Covich, Sr. and Lucy Kovach Covich. Betty Jean was very proud of the fact that she shared her birthdate with William Shakespeare. That coincidence proved prescient by being followed up by her long career as an outstanding English and Latin teacher and as Biloxi’s unofficial Poet Laureate.

Betty Jean was highly motivated throughout her life by her faith, by her teaching career, by her love for her husband, Kenny, by their three sons, Kenny, Dow and Damian, and by their beloved granddaughter, Raven Jolie. Her family, her friends, her city and the world have all benefited from the wonderful gift she was.

Betty Jean graduated from Biloxi High School in 1956. She then attended Mississippi University for Women, studying English and Latin and graduated in 1960. That same year, her first teaching assignment was at Central Jr. High, followed by her tenure at Nichols Jr. High, and then on to her twenty years at Biloxi High. “Mrs. Hughes” touched the lives of countless Biloxians through her 44 years of teaching! In conjunction with her role as teacher, Betty Jean played a significant role in the creation and management of the Biloxi Teachers’ Credit Union from 1966 until her passing, still serving as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Initially, she managed to run the credit union from her classroom at the old Central Jr. High on Howard Avenue. In 2003, Betty Jean was inducted into the Mississippi Credit Union Hall of Fame. Her many years of service will truly be remembered.

Betty Jean Hughes was the epitome of kindness, selflessness and grace, who tirelessly shared her faith and joy with everyone she met. Her lifelong commitment to her church, initially at St. Michael’s and then at Fatima, especially through her RCIA ministry, is inspirational. In 2017, she was presented The Lumen Christi Award in honor of her service to her parish and church community.

Betty Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband of 63 years, Kenneth Raymond Hughes; her brothers, Jerry Covich, Jr., Rudy Covich and Ronnie Covich; and by her sisters, Rita Forbes, Marie Frentz and Rosalie Isola.

She is survived by her three sons, Kenny Hughes, Jr. (Sheri) of Ocean Springs, Dow Hughes of Gulfport, and Damian Hughes (Amber) of Biloxi; her granddaughter, Raven Jolie Hughes of Orlando, Florida; and many loved nieces, and nephews.

Betty Jean’s visitation will be Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 pm at the Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 12:00 noon. Friends may visit from 11:00 am until Mass time. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

The family will have a gathering at 2:00 at the Croatian-American Cultural Center, 159 Maple Street, Biloxi, MS 39530. Everyone is invited to attend.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Betty Jean Covich Hughes.