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Submitted: 10/20/14 • Approved: 10/26/14 • Last Updated: 4/6/18 • R758242-G758242-S3
June 15, 1987 - August 11, 2010
Daughter of Brain Lahey and Brenda Bertling Miller
Wife of Derek Hughston
Melinda Marie "Mindy" Hughston entered her eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, August 11th at 9:10 pm after a four year battle with cancer. Mindy was born June 15th, 1987 in Parson, Kansas to Brian Lahey and Brenda Bertling (Miller). Mindy lived in southeast Kansas until the age of ten when she moved with her mother, Brenda and step father, George Miller to West Plains, Mo. She attended Howell Valley Grade School and West Plains High School- a very proud Zizzer. She loved to play basketball and had a passion for running cross country in high school. After graduation in May of 2005 from West Plains High School, Mindy married her high school sweetheart, Derek Hughston in Eureka Springs in September of that same year. Mindy and Derek were blessed with the arrival of Madison Grace on September 22, 2005. In March of 2006 Mindy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer- Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS). Determined not to allow the disease to take over her life, Mindy continued to fight hard and continued to do as much as she could for others. She graduated from Missouri State University as a registered nurse and received her bachelor's of nursing degree from the University of Missouri. Mindy's profession gave her the opportunity to do what she loved...helping others. Mindy was the least selfish person you could imagine and only wanted what was best for everyone around her. The shirts that many of you are wearing today were designed by Mindy for a benefit fundraiser for a little boy battling cancer. She had a heart full of compassion...truly a heart of gold. She loved spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and watching the "Food Network." She always had a new recipe to try and prepare for a family dinner or event. She enjoyed shopping, canoeing, singing, writing poems, and entertaining. Mindy was a member of First Baptist Church and Lifepoint Church in West Plains. She was a true believer and witness for the Lord. Sharing the love of Jesus was a true mission she never left unaccomplished. As you all know, she touched many, many loves and her legacy will live on for years to come!
Mindy is survived by her husband, Derek Hughston, her daughter, Madison Grace Hughston, her parents, Brenda and George Miller, Brian and Terresa Lahey, her sister, Amanda Holmes and husband Eric, her brothers, Tyler Huneycutt, Rian Lahey, and Rowdy Lahey, three nephews, Gavin and Grady Holmes and Briggs Hughston, maternal grandparents, Charles and Carolyn Littrell, and Mary Lou Miller, paternal grandparents, Mike and Jane Lahey, mother in law, Regan Hughston, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Preceded in death by grandparents Gilbert Bertling, Russell Miller and Wilma Miller.
Paul Bearers: Tyler Huneycutt, Rian Lahey, Rowdy Lahey, Brandon Buckle, Jeremy Buckle, Jason Buckle, Joshua Buckle, Justin Bertling, Ty Lahey, Trey Lahey, Gage Lahey, Garrett Lahey, and Ethan Lahey.
GOD ONLY TAKES THE BEST
God saw that she was getting tired
And a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around her
And whispered. "Come with me".
With tear filled eyes we watched her suffer
And fade away
Although we loved her deeply
We could not, make her stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only, takes the best.
Contributed on 10/20/14 by dkfranks56
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Record #: 758242