Vernetta Belle R. Hughes passed away peacefully at home during the late hours of June 20th,2026, on her beloved mother’s birthday. Family members find comfort in knowing that her mother was waiting to welcome her home. Her passing was confirmed in the early hours of June 21st, 2026.

Born on May 11, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Walda Hayes, Vernetta was raised alongside her younger sister, Harriette. The family later moved to Harlem, New York, where Vernetta spent much of her youth.

After settling in Harlem, Vernetta attended New York City public schools and graduated from Washington Irving High School. Following graduation, she worked at S. Klein's Department Store while attending Brooklyn College in the evenings.

Vernetta married Christopher Rigby, and together they welcomed their first daughter, Deborah. Later, she married James Harvey Hughes, and together they had three daughters: Stephanie, JoAnn, and Shari.

Committed to lifelong learning, Vernetta returned to school while working as a paraprofessional in the New York City school system. After earning her bachelor's degree, she became a teacher.

A strong believer in higher education, she continued her studies and earned a master's degree from Lehman College.

Vernetta was a devoted member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Harlem, where she was baptized and sang in the choir. She was also active in several organizations, including the NAACP, Junior Achievers, Girl Scouts of America Troop Leader and the Delphons.

After retiring in 1992, Vernetta and James moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, along with her mother and aunt. There, they found a new church home at Poplar Grove Baptist Church.

Dedicated to serving others, Vernetta continued giving back to her community by working as a substitute teacher in the Montgomery County Public Schools system and volunteering at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.

Vernetta loved to travel and enjoyed cruises throughout the Caribbean, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean. She cherished vacations with family and friends, trips to the Pocono Mountains for both skiing and weekend getaways, walks with her neighbours, and playing card games such as bid whist and pinochle. She also enjoyed squared dancing with James, bowling and many other activities that brought people together.

Vernetta was preceded in death by her mother Walda; beloved husband, James; aunt Dorothy; and her granddaughter-in-law, Danielle.

She is survived by her sister, Harriette; her daughters, Deborah, Stephanie, JoAnn son-in-law Calvin Sr., Shari son-in-law Kenneth Sr.; her grandchildren, Natasha, Chad, Calvin Jr. (Karina), Ora-Monet, James (Sabrina), Braddley, Mia (Ruben), Taylor, Evan, Kenyse, and Kenneth Jr.; and her great-grandchildren, Noah, Austin, Aria, Isaiah, Elijah, Isaac, Ezra, and Micah.

She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and cherished family and friends who will forever honour her legacy of love, faith, and perseverance.