Mary "Ludie" Louise Hughes Wortman

Mary Louise Hughes was born on March 3, 1928 in Picayune, MS, but spent most of her early life in Biloxi, MS, graduating from Biloxi High School in 1945. Shortly after graduation, she became a court reporter at Keesler Air Force Base, where she met her first husband, Red Hallock. They soon moved to Weisbaden, Germany, which allowed her to travel all over Europe. Eventually, she did return stateside, living and working in Washington, DC and Bunker Hill, IN, before moving to Cocoa Beach, FL in the early 1960’s. At Patrick Air Force Base, she spent 13 years in protocol, from 1962-1975, during an era that included the Apollo Program. During that time she took care of transportation, Quarters and social functions for all visiting dignitaries, including astronauts and presidents! While she worked at Patrick Air Force Base, she helped found the Surfside Chapter of Federally Employed Women, which lobbied for equal rights for female employees. That activity became the forerunner for her life after she retired in 1984. Shortly after retiring, she joined the Cocoa Beach Citizens League, where she eventually held the office of president. She also became a Florida Silver-Haired Legislator, serving as secretary for that organization. In addition she was a member of the Brevard County Planning and Zoning Board, Cocoa Beach Board of Adjustment, Cape Canaveral Hospital Senior Advisory Board, The Freedom 7 Community Center Board, the Brevard County Erosion Advisory Committee and the Cocoa Beach Management Team. Mary and her second husband, Jay Wortman, were also very active with their church, St. David’s by the Sea, where she was a Daughter of the King. On November 19, 2015, Mary peacefully went to meet her Lord and Savior, with her devoted Shih Tzu, Chum Lei, right at her side. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Red Hallock and Jay Wortman; and her parents, Preston and Mildred Hughes. Mary’s survivors include her sister, Virginia Viator of Biloxi; her brother, Preston “Blue” Hughes of Andalusia, AL; her niece, Sheri Viator Clement and her nephew, Joey Viator, both of Biloxi; and her grandnieces, Shelley Cantrelle Schruff and Stacey Cantrelle Parkman. The family would like to thank the staffs at The Residence at Bay Cove and Southern Care Hospice who lovingly cared for her. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Church of the Redeemer, 1904 Popps Ferry Rd., Biloxi, MS 39532 or to St. David’s Episcopal Church, 600 S. 4th Street, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. Memorial Services will be held at Bay Cove in Biloxi on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 2:00 pm and at St. David’s in Cocoa Beach at a later date. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.