Susan Elizabeth Kerr Hughes

Susan Elizabeth Kerr Hughes of Virginia Beach passed away peacefully on December 14, 2025. She was born in Norfolk on May 21, 1931, to the late Charles Stevens Kerr and Marjorie Beatrice Kerr Steele. Susan graduated from Granby High School in January 1949 and then attended the Division of William and Mary in Norfolk, VA. She married William C. Hughes on September 13, 1952. After William graduated from VPI in 1954, they moved to the Tidewater area, where they lived the rest of their lives together until his passing in 2021.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Hughes, and her sister, Marjorie Kerr Davis. She is survived by her brother, William Steele (Kathy); her son, William C. Hughes (Carina); and her daughters, Susan M. Hughes, Marianne Elizabeth Boyd (David), and Christine Brown (Rodger). Her greatest joy in recent years was being "Memaw" to her treasured grandchildren, Heather Boyd, Kimberly Elizabeth Hipp (Nick), Elise Boyd, Charles Hughes, Ryan Brown, Chloe Elizabeth Hughes, Matthew Brown, and Caroline Boyd, and great-grandchildren: Mason Elizabeth Hipp, Addison Marie Marshall, and Hayes Emory Hipp. These beautiful and talented children brought endless light, laughter, and purpose to her days. These cherished nieces, nephews, and friends also survived her: Chris Davis (Leigh), Melanie Davis Poole (JC), Paul Davis, Ruthann Beil, Molly Beach Carroll, Jeff Steele, Lori Steele Connor (Bryan), Jenny Steele Kilmartin (John), and Kilby Hodges.
As a full-time mother, Susan devoted her life to raising her children and found immense joy in educating them. She provided their first lessons in reading and writing and took them to visit regional historical sites. Summers were spent biking to the neighborhood library, where they applied for library cards as soon as they could sign their names. She often took her children to the beach, with her sister and her children joining them, allowing the cousins to enjoy each other's company, the summer, and the ocean. The sisters and cousins also made annual trips to North Carolina to visit their grandfather on his farm, where the children had memorable experiences, such as milking cows and eating warm watermelon picked straight from the garden. Additionally, they spent weeks at White Lake, creating lasting memories of swimming in the lake and huddling on the screened porch during thunderstorms.
During the school year, Susan woke up early to prepare breakfast and pack school lunches. In the evenings, she helped with spelling tests, completed homework, and assisted with school projects. She also drove her children to their after-school activities, including music lessons, scouting, dance classes, football, baseball, and tennis.
After her children were grown up, Susan found joy in quilting, taking classes at Old Dominion University, and researching her family's heritage. With her nephew Chris leading the effort, she and her sister visited local courthouses to research their family's journey from Europe to America and up to the present day. They recalled family stories to enhance the researched facts with vivid details. Through this collaboration, she helped her nephew complete a family history book.
As a grandmother and great-grandmother, Susan embraced her role as "Memaw" and enjoyed this stage of her life more than ever. She participated in caring for her grandchildren as much as their parents would allow, always willing to lend a hand.
She was a steady presence and a source of love in the lives of all who knew her. Though she will be deeply missed, her love remains woven into the hearts of those fortunate enough to call her Memaw.
Special thanks and gratitude to "Loved Ones First Home" and to Suzette, Gina, Panzie, and Ms. Margaret for their loving care.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Forest Lawn Cemetery, located at 8100 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505.