Donald Lewis Hughes
October 17, 1923 ~ March 9, 2016
Born in:
Cleveland, TN
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, GA
Donald Lewis Hughes, 92, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2016 following a short illness. He was born October 17, 1923 in Cleveland, Tennessee to Amanda Jones Hughes and Benjamin Luther Hughes. After graduating from high school, he served three years with the U.S. Army in North Africa, Italy, and France in a medical laboratory. Upon returning home he received the A.B. degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, M. Div. degree from Emory University, and the M.A.in Christian Education from Scarritt College. He also took additional graduate courses at the University of Georgia.
He was an ordained Methodist minister and served as Director of Wesley Foundation at East Tennessee State University, and at various Methodist Churches in Tennessee and Georgia. He also taught in Gwinnett County, at Dacula and Central Gwinnett High Schools for a total of 20 years. After retiring from the pastorate and teaching he worked part time at Mervyn’s Department Store in Duluth, Georgia. He taught Sunday School classes through the years, most recently the Agape Class at Lawrenceville First Methodist. Even teaching the Sunday before he became ill. A lifelong student he had a great mind and a love of books and was a gifted teacher. He was also a musician who enjoyed playing the piano until late in his years.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sarah Stephens Hughes; son, Harold Hughes of Lawrenceville; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and David Stewart of Lilburn; two grandchildren Amanda and Mary Claire Stewart also of Lilburn.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church, 395 West Crogan St., Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30046, on Saturday, March 19th at 1:30pm. The family will receive visitors at the church following the service until 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in memory of Donald to the Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church or Grace Arbor Program, 395 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 or to Roswell Rotary Honor Air, P.O. Box 783, Roswell, GA 30077, https://roswellrotary.club/honor-air/ Online condolences can be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com
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A big hug to you Brenda. Trusting that our Lord will meet every need. Love & prayers.
Rejoicing that Mr. Hughes is with his Savior and praying for peace and comfort for you, the family.
A faithful legacy and amazing to still be teaching Sunday school up until he passed away. We are thankful to know his family and have felt his impact through them. We love you, Brenda, David and girls.
A good kind man.
A blessing to have had him for a teacher at Dacula.
He was a great teacher who was fair to his students. Rest in peace.
Patience of a saint with our class. God be with the family.
Gail Jordan Thompson Class of 1969 Dacula High School
So sorry to hear of our loss. Lifting the family in prayers at this difficult time. Don will be missed.
Brenda,
Loved reading about your Dad and his zest for life at every stage. May we all be alive to life in all our moments.
It seems he has left parts of himself here in others for you all to bump into now that he is with his Creator again.
We need to love the people God has given because he will want them back one day.
Thinking of you.
Brenda,
We send much love and prayers to you, your Mom, Harold and your family on the passing of your Dad. What an honor we had to know him.
Love, Gillian and the GA Microboards Association
Rest well and be in no pain.
Prayers for a beautiful celebration on Saturday. Many blessings and much comfort going forward!
Mr. Hughes was such a gentle soul. He loved his family dearly. Thank God for the opportunity of meeting this wonderful man. He is with the Lord. Mrs. Hughes, Brenda and Harold, you are truly blessed! Love, Neat
Donald was a truly extraordinary man who lived a life of love and service. May your memories of him sustain you, and may the love of friends and family carry you through this difficult time. We send our thoughts and prayers to the entire family..
As one of his many cousins, I knew Don as far back as I can remember, even prior to his military service. My parents, the late Elmo and Frances Harmon, took me many times to uncle Luther’s and aunt Amanda’s home where I would see Don and enjoy the many things (including the goldfish pond in their front yard) at their home. His military service, though it took the “starch” out of him, left him a kind, loving man with a genuine heart for his fellow man. God sometimes works in strange ways, and it would seem He used Don’s military service to bring him into a lifetime of service to God and mankind. He will be missed, indeed.
Don’s kind wisdom was a special blessing for our Sunday morning group. We share your sorrow.
My condolences and prayers are extended to you and your family.
Brenda . . . There are so many words in our language, but none can ever convey heartfelt sentiments. I’m so inspired by your continued perseverance during your dad’s illness and passing. Celebration of his life and the decades of memories can serve as pillars of strength during this time and for years to come.
Brenda, David, Mary Claire & especially Amanda we are praying for peace for you. Treasure the memories you have of the good times you shared with your father and grandfather. Know that he is now at peace. May God bless your family.
Sarah,Harold,& family, May God strengthen and comfort you during this difficult time. May Don’s memories bring you joy. Mr. Hughes was a kind and loving man and will be greatly missed. Love you, Judy Schneider
Mr. Hughes was a pinnacle of hope to me, his life story, so many obstacles, he overcame very difficult circumstances by investing in others. His love of his family was firm and an example for others to follow , his faith in God transformed many people’s lives. My life was impacted by knowing him, Heaven is very joyful because Mr. Harold Hughes has arrived!
Dear Mickey, Harold, Brenda, Amanda and Mary Claire,
My mother Mary Nell and my family and I miss being at the memorial service today, and our prayers are with you as we share beautiful memories of your father, grandfather and our beloved cousin Don. I remember the companionship and love our grandmothers Ella and Amanda shared as they cared for Don and Mary Nell and grieved for their other sons B.L., Harold and Courville. Mother has many stories of the times she and Don shared as children and teens, and you, Mickey, and Don were so beloved to Margaret Ann and me when we were growing up and with you so much. Krissa, Brent and Joseph admired Don so much, and the talents and values they and their children have inherited from him are part of his legacy to us.
The love from Don to all of us is affirmed today as we remember him in the assured hope of eternal life.
With love from Mary Nell, Mary Ella and Bill and families.
What a wonderful blessing he was to so many of his students. He was a dedicated teacher and made every minute of class count. I am thankful that I had the oppurtunity to have been one of those students. May he rest in peace and may God wrap his arms around the family.
I would like to thank all of you for your kind words. Don was a loving, generous, man, father and husband. I appreciate your messages and the love you have shown me. God bless each of you, Mickey Hughes