Bloomington, UT - Lois Joan Hughes, 79 years old, went running, skipping, jumping and dancing (things she had not been able to do since childhood) into the arms of her loved ones on Sunday, May 31st, 2009, in her Bloomington home of 23 years. Joan - as she was known - was born March 9th, 1930 in Beaver, Utah to Florence Naomi and William Milo Baker. She was raised in Beaver with her four brothers (Wendell, Gordon, Lynn and Nolan), who always took the most special care of her. She graduated from Beaver High School and went on to college at Utah State University. While attending college, Joan met the man of her dreams, Mr. Vernon Marion Hughes. Incidentally, he hailed from the rival town of Milford, Utah. They overcame that minor difference, and were married in the Logan, Utah LDS temple on June 10th, 1952, the day after they both graduated from Utah State - he with a degree in civil engineering, and she with a degree in education. A family was quick to follow, so her teaching skills never went unused. While Vernon was in the armed forces, they saw and lived in many different parts of the world. They started in California (where 2 children were born), then soon moved on through Ohio, Montana (3 children were born here), Spain, Nebraska, Okinawa, Utah (their 6th and last child was born here), and then finished off by moving through New Mexico, Idaho, and Arizona while working for the Civil Service. Finally, they retired to their current home in St. George, Utah. Joan was very much a professional homemaker. She ironed sheets, shirts, pants and tablecloths like you have never seen. She raised their six beautiful children (Valorie, Beverly, Douglas, Brent, Milo and Roger), a good deal of the time on her own while Vernon was away at work. Joan had a plan for every day of the week: Monday was laundry and Family Home Evening day. Throughout the rest of the week, the remaining chores - like vacuuming, dusting, mopping and cleaning - were laid out with a plan. Joan had many hobbies, including knitting, quilting, needle-work, sewing, canning, teaching, tying shoes, penmanship, and really anything to do with her hands. She had amazing talents and a loving touch. Many of her favorite hobbies involved teaching her grandchildren new talents, such as crocheting and - of course - quilting. She also enjoyed playing the organ. One of her interests included reading her scriptures every morning with Vernon. She was the best listener - she always cared how you were and genuinely heard you when you were speaking. She also enjoyed organizing things, and tended to bring structure to the lives of those around her - oftentimes through lists. Her principal interest, above all else, was family, family, family! She enjoyed hugs, flowers, being the only girl with her four brothers, and her precious moment figurines. She had a very strong spirit and testimony of the gospel and superior integrity. She had a sweet and genuine love for life, and was always happy. She lived for her family, and loved having everyone around. Just being together gave her such a light of love and happiness. Most of all, she loved getting her hair done every Saturday by her daughter Valorie. On the other hand, she didn't care for doctors, shots, needles, swimming - or water above her ankles, for that matter. She gave the responsibility of grocery shopping to Dad many years ago, because of her great dislike for shopping. Even shopping for clothes - the mainstay of many women in today's society - was not her cup of tea. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her son-in-law Mark, and her grandson Trevor. She is survived by: her loving husband, Vernon Marion Hughes; daughter Valorie Black of St. George, Utah; daughter Beverly Savage (Patrick) of St. George, Utah; son Douglas Hughes (Julie) of Boise, Idaho; son Brent Hughes of Gilbert, Arizona; son Milo Hughes (Laura) of St. George, Utah; and son Roger Hughes (Wendy) of Riverdale, Utah; 20 beautiful grandchildren; and 5 wonderful great-grandchildren.