Friendship Endures at St. James Place

Barbara Hughes grew up right here in Baton Rouge. She’s spent almost her entire life calling this city home, and for nearly every part of it — even now at St. James Place — her dear friend Sissy Batemen has been there.

“I can’t tell you exactly what the connection is…” said Barbara. “Any time we’re together, we’re just so glad to see each other and enjoy being together.”

Their friendship began at University High School, where the girls were separated by a year. From sharing the field on the school softball team to going on adventures in the same Girl Scout troop, Barbara and Sissy grew up together.

As they got older and eventually headed to LSU, they joined the same sorority and their friendship grew even deeper. While each had her own group of friends, they maintained their friendship, chatting and spending time together at parties and other social gatherings.

Even after school, they graduated and got married, but their friendship still endured. 

In 2015, Barbara moved into St. James Place after her husband passed away. Just five years later, fate and friendship brought them back together as Sissy also moved to be a part of the community.

“We are in the same book club now. We get invited to some of the same parties, so we’ve kept up with each other over the years,” said Barbara.

Living in such a close-knit community has been a blessing for the two ladies during these unprecedented times. Their friendship is one that runs deep and is a treasure to the both of them. 

“Sissy and I were not what you would call ‘bosom buddies’, and yet we were. We haven’t always called back and forth, but there is just this connection,” remarked Barbara. “If she called me for help, I’d be right there. And I know that she would do the same for me.”

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