Ligia Mercedes Hugues

Ligia Mercedes Gutierrez de Hughes or “Yiya”, as she is known by her family and friends, was born on February 8, 1937 in Panama City, Panama. She went to be with the Lord at the age of 81 and she is survived by her children; Guillermo, Elida, Cecilia and Esperanza; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandkids. She is also survived by her older brother Francisco Gutierrez. Today we rejoice with her and celebrate her life as we know she is in the arms of her Lord and Savior without pain and suffering. 

Mom was a very giving person with a servant heart. She was always taking care of people, especially children working as a volunteer in the burn unit section of the Children Hospital in Panama, caring for little kids whose parents had abandoned them. She spent endless hours not just attending to their physical needs, but also to their spiritual needs, making them feel love and care for. She collected toys for them for Christmas and celebrated their birthdays. She cared for her husband “our Dad” throughout his battle with cancer and gave all of her to all of us. She came from a humble family, she was the middle of 5 children, but the one always protecting the others, even her older brothers. A very hard-working person, with an incredible “Can do attitude”, at barely 5’ tall, there were no “Big Obstacles” for her and she will never take a “No” for an answer. Her model was “Where there is a will, there is a way” and she did everything with a very loving attitude. She opened her heart and the doors of her house to everyone in need and received you with open arms and a smile. She loved her grandkids/great-grandkids and she has a special place in their heart. She was the glue that kept us all together, the rock of our family and foundation of our principles! Always inspiring us to be better and go above and beyond what it is required, always putting others first. She had an incredible memory, never forgotten a birthday and took pride on always being the first one to wish you a happy birthday at 5:30 AM, making you feel so special.

Mom knew the Lord and had assurance of salvation: “absent from the body, present with the Lord” and her prayer for all of us was that we would have a personal relationship with the Lord and will continue her legacy of love. We love her and will miss her, but know we will see her again and she is with us each and every day!

A Memorial Service will take place October 9, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 NE Racetrack Road, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547.  Pastor Mickey Hawkins will be officiating the service.  

Please visit www.daviswatkins.com to sign the guestbook, express condolences and share memories.