Rev. Hughes was born February 20, 1941 in Portsmouth, VA to the late Edward Foster Hughes and Myrtle Olivia Askew Hughes. He graduated from Tennessee Temple University with a Bachelor of Theology. He was the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Old Fort for over 22 years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, and riding through the countryside. He especially loved his family and extended church family.
Those left behind to cherish Rev. Hughes’ memory are his beloved wife of 55 years, Alice Hill Hughes; three children, Penny Everett (Gary) of Daleville, AL, Charles Thomas “Tommy” Hughes (Kristie) of Old Fort, NC and Amy Jewell (Joseph) of Banner Elk, NC; one brother, Donald Hughes of Watertown, TN; one sister, Frances Birkhead of Hendersonville, NC; five grandchildren, Christina Kates (Anthony), Brianna Hughes, Claudia Hughes, Nikki Hughes and Jesse Jewell; and two great-grandchildren, Hunter Niclaus Kates and Lucas Niclaus Kates.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Kirksey Funeral Home in Marion. A funeral service to celebrate Rev. Hughes’ life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Tony Birkhead pastor of Living Water Church of Hendersonville, NC officiating. A private graveside service will be held at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
Everyone is encouraged to wear red for the service in honor of the precious shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ who died to assure us a home in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Rev. Hughes’ memory are asked to consider Bethlehem Baptist Church Youth Fund, PO Box 568, Old Fort, NC 28762.
