Doris Louise Hughes, 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2009 at Johnston Medical Center. She was the only child of the late, Jesse B. Hughes and Ethel Mae McDuffy and is preceded in death by her son, Steven Ray Jernigan and her granddaughter Leigh Krisan Millard.Doris was a graduate of Selma High School and Atlantic Christian College. Her gifts of patience and compassion made her an exceptional teacher for children with special needs. After retirement she moved to Topsail Island, where she found joy in the simple beauties of God's creation. In 1994 she returned to Selma to be close to her family.Her love for people drew her to a part-time job at Johnston Community College working in the JobLink Career Center and in Student Support Services where she remained until her second retirement in 2008.She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Pam Millard and husband Donald; her son, Alex Jernigan and wife Dianne; grandchildren, Joey Millard-Edwards and husband Mike, Stephen Jernigan and wife Paige, Adam Jernigan and Lindsey Jernigan; and great grandchildren, Katie Jernigan and Carley and Dawson Edwards, as well as many cousins and friends.The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caring doctors, nurses and staff in the ICU at Johnston Medical Center and for the love and support of her dear friends.Doris' love of family and others is a constant reminder of what truly makes life worthwhile. She truly demonstrated what a beautiful woman is: gentle, humble and quiet spirited. God's Word speaks of these attributes in I Peter 3:14, "Let adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in God's sight." Doris will be greatly missed by all who knew her including her furry friends: Taco, Rosa, Margarita, Tex and Hershey.A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2009 in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home in Selma with the Dr. Harold H. Harbin, Jr., officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Doris Hughes Memorial Fund for Education, c/o Johnston Community College Foundation. P. O. Box 2350, Smithfield, NC 27577-2350.