Iry Geraldine Hughes Williams

Iry Geraldine Hughes Williams was born August 23, 1927 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey from the union of the late Montague and Amanda Hughes.  She departed this life on March 12, 2022. She was the second child with her seven other siblings, including four sisters and three brothers.  She grew up in Cliffwood, New Jersey and as a young child, she took the big sister role seriously; playing with her sisters and brothers sharing, caring and having lots of fun.  Mom and Dad made sure that she knew life was not all fun and games; as everyone had assigned chores around the home and it was an absolute must that they be done.  This attitude and work ethic laid a foundation for our lives even today.  

Iry attended Cliffwood Elementary School and Matawan High School, working after school at the Keyport Tile Factory.  After graduating in 1946, she was employed at Merit Shirt Factory in Hopelawn, Raritan Arsenal in Metuchen, and Hess Oil Company, all located in New Jersey. While at Hess Oil, she applied for a position as a Supply Clerk at the Fort Monmouth Army Base and was hired.  During her tenure she was promoted numerous times and after 31 years of employment at Fort Monmouth she retired in 1993.

Iry became a member of St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church in the early 1950’s under the Pastorate of Reverend Ossie R. Lyons. In 1994 under the pastorate of Reverend Benjamin H. Henderson, she was appointed to Financial Secretary of the Church.  In this role she took on the responsibilities of preparing checks for payroll, all utilities, quarterly federal and state remittances, all banking needs, all mailings and mail retrieval, prepared correspondence as needed, as well as shopped for funeral repast items when needed.

Iry worked wholeheartedly and tirelessly at these many duties until 2012 when it was determined that she had indeed given her best to help make St. Mark the Temple that it is today. Her affiliations and activities include: current member of St. Mark Adult Choir, past Secretary of the Trustee Board, past Financial Secretary of St. Mark, past Secretary of the Quarterly Meeting, past coordinator of the Secretarial Pool; past Scheduling Clerk, past Women’s Day Chairperson, past member of The Dependables, past member of mortgage Burning Committee, past member of Monmouth Adjacent Counties Mass Choir, current member of Aberdeen Senior Citizens Club, past member Advisory Board Office on Aging, Freehold; and past member of Senior Citizen Activity Network (SCAN) where she volunteered one day a week.

Iry is survived by siblings and spouses Delphine Clax, Beateal Gumbs-Earle, Emily Armstrong, James Hughes-Wilma, and Ephraim Hughes, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She is predeceased by siblings-spouse Evangeline Curry-Twille, Cedric Hughes-Doris, and Lillian Hughes.

We give thanks to God for bringing her safely to this stage of her life. For his blessings, and a reasonable portion of health and strength which enabled her to live and enjoy her retirement with family and friends.  

To God Be The Glory!!!!!

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 from 10 am until the time of the funeral service at 12 noon at the Damiano Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Shoreland Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hazlet. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.   

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