The ABS mourns the loss of Carolyn Hughes, wife of founding member B.R. Hughes. This comes too soon after the loss of B.R. and we can now see that the two of them could not be long separated by any confines of this world. Carolyn was our Journal editor and a true friend to the ABS. Here is her obituary:

Carolyn Lee Hughes, 87, of Wake Village, TX, died Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Texarkana, Texas.
The daughter of Effie Mae Wood and Nano William Lee, Ms. Hughes was born on March 24, 1938. She graduated from Huttig High School where she met the love of her life, Billy Ray Hughes.

Carolyn built a long and tenured career in the computer department at Texarkana College, starting as a secretary and working her way into a teaching position, which she held until her retirement.

Afterward, Carolyn took over as editor of the American Bladesmith, the Journal of the American Bladesmith Society. While supporting her husband throughout his career with the American Bladesmith Society, she built her own legacy as a Margaret Moran Silver Slipper Award Winner in 2002 and was inducted into the American Bladesmith Society Hall of Fame in 2021.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter-in-law, Caroline Hughes of Texarkana, Texas; two grandsons, Cody Hughes and wife Lora, children Reed and Rece, of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Cale Hughes, wife Stephanie, and daughter Ameila, of Allen, Texas. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Glenda Lee of Granbury, Texas, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, along with many friends and former colleagues. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Ray, their son, Barry, in 2019, and their daughter, Lee Ann, in 2010.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, at Chapelwood Funeral Home at 1015 North Kings Highway in Nash, Texas. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2623 N. Robison Road, Texarkana, Texas, following a private burial.