Although they did not attend the same university, Julie and Kendric Hughley Sr. were college sweethearts. One day, Kendric, a student at Auburn University Montgomery, went to visit his friend who worked at a restaurant. While he was there, Kendric noticed “a really cute girl” serving another table. This girl was his future wife, Julie, a student at Alabama State University.

“I asked my friend to introduce us and the rest is history,” Kendric said.

Twenty three years ago, the couple moved to Helena where they have raised their three children. Their eldest, 22-year-old Kirsten, is a senior nursing student at Tuskegee University. Madelyn is an 18-year-old freshman education major and cheerleader at her mother’s alma mater, Alabama State University. At 16 years old, KJ (Kendric Hughley Jr.) is a junior at Helena High School and plays snare drum in the band.

After 25 years as a firefighter, Kendric is the fire chief for the city of Bessemer where he enjoys helping others to be successful in their careers as professional firefighters. An accountant by trade, Julie currently works as the office manager and bookkeeper at Montevallo High School.

“Serving the faculty and staff allows me to maximize my love for working with numbers,” Julie said.

When they’re not enjoying comfort food during a movie or binge watching their favorite tv shows, the Hughleys are active in the community. In addition to being leaders in the Destiny International Christian Church that serves Helena residents, they are proud band parents, as well as former cheerleading and Helena Teen Council parents. As a family, they enjoy participating in multiple community events such as the Christmas parade, the 4th of July celebration and Buck creek festival.

“What makes Helena special for us is it has always felt like home since we moved here 23 years ago,” Kendric and Julie shared.