Betty Jane Brady Barber-Hughes
July 13, 1931 - December 18, 2020
Born on July 13th, 1931 in Borger, Texas, Betty Jane Brady Barber-Hughes lived an unforgettable 89 years before she peacefully passed in her sleep at home in Scottsdale on December 18th, 2020. She came from a colonial American and pioneering Texan family that settled in Red River County in the early 1800s. Betty attended boarding school at San Marcos Academy and then studied art and design at Texas State Women's College before finalizing her studies at the University of Texas in Austin where she met her late husband, Jerry D. Barber During her school days she was an active member of the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, an organization she continued to support after her collegiate days as Arizona President. She and Jerry moved to Phoenix in 1955. She acted as Vice President of Jerry Barber Realty, where she and Jerry pioneered mobile home development in Phoenix. Together, they began collecting art of the Southwest in the 1960s and instilled a generational love of art in her daughter and grandchildren. She fostered her love of the arts through many years of membership and leadership in the National Society of Arts and Letters and the International Friends of Transformative Art. Additionally, she was a member of the Jonathan Art Foundation in Los Angeles, California. After the passing of her dear Jerry, Betty married her now late husband, Erville W. Hughes. They lived many happy years together in Paradise Valley, attending church at St. Barnabas on the Desert, taking their grandchildren on road trips throughout North America, and making happy memories at the Paradise Valley Country Club. Additionally, they patronized the Phoenix Scottish Rite Foundation and the Farmhouse Fraternity Scholarship for the University of Nebraska. They supported the arts through Gardens for Humanity and scholarships at Arizona State University's Katherine Herberger School of Fine Arts. Betty was also one of the founding members of Art Salon Society, which seeks to bring the age-old tradition of intimate art gatherings to the modern day. Betty took every opportunity to uphold the values of family, community service, patriotism, education, and art. She was chairmen of the La Jolla Debutante Ball - Children's Home Society in 1976. She was an avid amateur genealogist and a 25-year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a 29-year member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She served as President of the Colonial Dames of America Arizona Chapter XXV and campaigned valiantly to donate a garden bench engraved for the garden at CDA's Mount Vernon Hotel & Museum to honor Justice Sandra Day O'Conner. She was also a courtesy member of Los Angeles Chapter XX. This year, she received the Van Rensselaer Award for Distinguished Service from the Colonial Dames of America. Betty was featured in the CDA President's Spotlight last December, which noted, "Past President of Chapter XXV-Phoenix Betty is a remarkable octogenarian, and truly one of CDA's treasures. She has a been a member of Chapter XXV for nearly three decades; the matriarch of a three generation CDA Family. Betty has given her time, talent and treasure to CDA for many years. As was recently said about Betty, 'She is always kind and considerate, and reflects the highest principles of what a Colonial Dame should be. She radiates these qualities in her daily life. Betty is still involved in seeking qualified members for her chapter, and under her presidential leadership the chapter grew and prospered with her dedication and enthusiasm. Betty Barber-Hughes is a true CDA Grand Dame!'" Betty always encouraged her grandchildren in their educational and artistic endeavors. She supported the Phoenix Boys Choir for many years and witnessed many happy performances when her grandson was in the choir. She also lived in Toluca Lake, California, while her granddaughter pursued a career in the entertainment industry, attending many fun awards ceremonies and often stealing the spotlight with her haute couture fashion statements. Betty lived fearlessly, adventurously, and fashionably. She took every opportunity to travel, lead her community, and love her family fully, all while dressed to the nines and wearing her iconic orange lipstick. She will be eternally loved and missed. Betty is preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry D. Barber, and her second husband, Erville W. Hughes.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Jerre Lynn Vanier, her two grandchildren, Jared Wick (Victoria) and Jolie Vanier, her new great-grandson, Christian Lawrence Wick, and her loving extended family members.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Betty's treasured organizations, the Colonial Dames of America and the Phoenix Boys Choir.