Allan Francis Hughes

Allan Francis Hughes, 80, of Charlotte, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus late Tuesday evening, December 26, 2023, following an extended stay at Novant Presbyterian. While there, he received compassionate care from the entire medical team, for which the family is eternally grateful.

Allan was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and the only child of Daniel and Evelyn Hughes, who lovingly called him Francis. A lifetime of generosity grew from humble beginnings. After the war, the family moved to Charlotte but, unable to afford housing, found refuge at the Salvation Army shelter and then in Piedmont Courts where Allan’s earliest ventures into entrepreneurship were born. He told the story of raking leaves for the landlord and then reselling the leaves for mulch and compost. He also collected day-old newspapers and sold them for a discounted price.

After graduating from Garinger High in 1961, Allan worked in several industries before discovering he had a knack for welding. Starting as an apprentice, he learned quickly and soon became a Master Welder. Often holding multiple jobs to make ends meet, he was driven to excel in all that he did. This was never more true than when he made the decision, after working with Morgan Drive Away, to start his own trucking company, initially pulling trailers for Fruehauf and then distributing freight for Belk to their retail stores throughout the southeast and leasing trailers to them for 34 years. The company grew from just one driver (Allan) to over 75 drivers who were always treated like, and felt like, family. Allan’s decades-long business partner and friend, Jeri Williamson, was an important part of the success of Unique Express as it grew.

Allan is predeceased by his first wife and high school sweetheart, Beverly, their youngest child, Rebecca, and his second wife, Rita. Allan and Beverly have four children – Karen Partee (Mack), Sandra House (Brian), Michael Hughes (Kim) and Rebecca Hughes. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, O’Neal Partee (Liz), Caleb Partee (Summer), Jackie Hughes, Heather Kemp (Toby), Mitchell Hughes, and MaKayla Easton, as well as his five great-grandchildren, always encouraging them in whatever adventure, sport or goal they were pursuing.

After attending The Salvation Army Church as a child, he would later lead his own family to join Plaza Baptist Church where they attended and served for many years. Allan knew the Bible well, professed the Lord as his Savior, and lived out his faith in how he treated others.

In his spare time, Allan enjoyed a good game of golf…and believed there was no other kind. His love of golf started at Eastwood Golf Course, where he made many lifelong friends. When the course was closed to make way for redevelopment, he started playing at Larkhaven and ultimately became a member of Pine Island Country Club where he once had the opportunity to play golf with Alice Cooper and also had his only hole-in-one on Hole #13. He had the good fortune to play many PGA-level courses, including Augusta National.

He played in countless golf tournaments over the years, often placing in the top positions. He not only shared his love of golf with his son, who was often by his side on the course, but also his daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also found many opportunities to help young, aspiring golfers with golf scholarships and tournament entry fees.

His generosity was seen in the numerous charity golf tournaments he sponsored, such as The Foundation Fighting Blindness Golf Classic, the Jim Berry Memorial United Way Golf Tournament, and Bethany Christian Services of NC. He was also a lifelong supporter of Salvation Army.

Allan will be forever remembered by his family for how he supported our dreams, challenged our perceived limitations, and celebrated our achievements.

A service to celebrate Allan’s life will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2023 at 1:00 PM with a reception to follow. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 to 12:45 PM at McEwen Funeral Service located at 5716 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to The Salvation Army, 4015 Stuart Andrew Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28217.