On June 2, I received the sad news that Mirah Lesa “Yo-Yo” Worley Hughes had passed away after a lengthy struggle with multiple sclerosis. I was parked for the night in an abandoned lot across from the TA Travel Center in Pioneer, Tennessee, taking my federally mandated 10-hour break. During this time, I reflected on her 2021 interview with me, particularly her heartfelt wish for after her death:
“When I die, I want to be cremated, then taken out to I-40 somewhere in Tennessee… Find an overpass where there’s no on- or off-ramp, wait for the wind to blow Westbound, and pour me out over the road.”
Considering that interview now, I can’t help but think about how much her wild trucking spirit from Salinas to Hunts Point must have shone through even in her final years. Four years is a long time to endure such suffering.
Despite the celebrity status she achieved in the 1970s, which she later tried to escape by moving and changing her name, Yo-Yo wasn’t just a pretty face in the trucking world. At her core, she was a Tennessee country girl who relished fast driving. Few truckers from that era have left such a significant mark on trucking lore.
Yo-Yo embodied a particular image—her signature size 7 Levis paired with a 359 Pete truck, and that toothpick twirling in her mouth. This image was amplified by the media of the 70s, portraying her as a blue-collar diva who could easily outdrive her male counterparts.
In those days, she gained a notable reputation, even edging out “Special K” in a qualifying heat at the Atlanta International Raceway, as featured on the 1979 episode of “Real People.” However, the endorsements that followed became more of a hassle, making her return to trucking a more appealing option. Her legacy includes being a pioneering spirit, sometimes compared to Amelia Earhart, and inspiring a song titled “Hey, Delilah” by Blackberry Smoke, where she is recognized as a “legend in the world of truckers.”
Her daughter shared the touching obituary on Facebook:
Mirah Lesa Worley Hughes, widely known as Yo-Yo, passed away on June 2, 2025, in Halls, TN, at the age of 68. Born on October 16, 1956, in Lenoir City, Tennessee, she was a loving mother and grandmother who profoundly influenced everyone in her life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Gloria Hendrix, and several siblings, leaving behind cherished memories for her family and friends.
Lesa dedicated over 40 years to trucking, embracing the freedom and adventure that came with the open road. Known as “Yo-Yo” among fellow truckers, she won the first “Atlanta Motor Speedway Semi Race” in 1979, reaching speeds of 110 mph. Her love for trucking was paralleled only by her affection for animals and nature. She had a special relationship with her horse, Seminole, and cherished moments spent outdoors.
Lesa’s family was her greatest joy. She is survived by her daughter, Lesa Michelle (Derek Lee Polk) Polk Hughes, and her beloved grandson, Chase Polk, both of Halls, Tennessee. She invested her heart into nurturing their dreams, and her love for them was immeasurable.
Lesa had a remarkable way of connecting with people, spreading laughter and joy wherever she went. Her adventurous spirit and genuine love for life resonated with everyone she encountered.
In her own words, she once said: “West with the best, East with the rest.”
Happy trails, Yo-Yo. We’ll keep you in our thoughts on that Westbound I-40.
