John Frierson Hughes

John Frierson Hughes, 96, of Birmingham, AL, passed away January 13, 2022. He was born in Birmingham on August 31, 1925. John graduated from Auburn University and received Bachelor of Arts in 1950. He was married to Gloria Herring in June 1951. They were married for 47 years until her passing in 1997. He later was married to the former Pat Fadely until her death in 2017. John founded Town & County Furniture Co. in 1957 and Greenbrier Furniture Co. in 1965. He was a member of Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, National Auburn Alumni Board, Interior Design Advisory Board at Auburn University and former President of the Jefferson County Auburn Alumni Club. He was also a member of the Vestavia Country Club, Saugahatchee Country Club, and Monday Morning Quarterback Club. From a small rural farm on Shades Mountain in the 1930’s to a successful business career that afforded he and his wife Gloria a life “Beyond My Wildest Dreams," John survived childhood poverty, WWII while serving as a Marine, the risk of starting his own company, all with the help of any “Angel on My Shoulder” as he would say. Being able to attend college at Auburn University on the GI bill in 1947, changed John's life forever. There he met the love of his life, Gloria Herring on a blind date. John and Gloria married in 1951 and worked together, traveled the world together, and loved each other for 47 years until Gloria lost her battle with cancer in 1997. John and Gloria both loved Auburn and always looked for ways to give back to their beloved school. They loved staying at their Auburn house and being a part of the Auburn community. John loved his family and was so proud of all his grandchildren. As John got older and reflected on surviving his humble upbringing, WW II, 2 wives, along with all he had achieved, he wrote in a memoir to his children, “I can see the hand of the Lord in my life.”

He is survived by his children, Tracey Barber (Rick) and Gary Hughes (Melanie); grandchildren, Richard Barber (Kaitlin), Frances Hayes (David), Sally Garrison (Jacob), Taylor Hughes, Lucy Hughes; great-grandchildren, Tripp Barber, Gloria Barber, Lawson Hayes, Frances Lynn Garrison. A special thanks to his caregiver and friend Linda Gary. A visitation will be held at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, AL on Friday, January 21, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service with military honors at 11:00 AM. John will be laid to rest at Southern Heritage Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts, 901 South College Street, Auburn, AL 36830 or charity of your choice.