Wednesday, April 28, 1976 | 6 a.m.
HOUSTON (UPI) - Howard R. Hughes will be buried alongside his mother and father in a tree-lined, century-old cemetery that lies in the shadows of downtown Houston.
Only the family and closest friends of the late recluse billionaire were told the details of a funeral service which will take place on the 70-acre grounds of Glenwood Cemetery.
"Mr. Hughes will not be cremated," said a spokesman for the George Lewis Funeral Home Tuesday. "The burial will be in the family plot. The casket that has been chosen is very simple, but a very fine casket. It's not fancy or ornate.
"We're having to do what the family wants us to do and keep it quiet."
No time for the services was announced.
Hughes' aunt, Mrs. Frederick R. Lummis, arranged for the services and insisted on their secrecy.
The cemetery where Hughes will be buried is only three-quarters of a mile west of downtown in an area filled with old houses and poorly kept garages and warehouses.
But the cemetery itself is perfectly kept with thick grass growing around moss laden maple, oak and pine trees. Gravestones date back to the 1840s.
The chirping of birds presents a contrast to the sounds of freight trains passing nearby or the traffic zipping past on a six-lane street outside the cemetery gate.
Although ornate monuments dot the cemetery in memory of influential members of the Houston community, the Hughes' family plot is simply decorated. A semi-circle slab bears the names of Hughes' mother and father.
"Howard Robard Hughes - Sept. 9, 1869-Jan. 14, 1924. Allene Gano Hughes - July 14, 1883-March 29, 1922.
At the corner of the plot stands a brass stake which signifies the ground around the graves is to receive special care--meaning the grass should be cut at least once a week.
