Melvin Hughes, Jr. was born to the late Melvin Hughes, Sr. & Ludie Alston on July 24, 1929, in McCool, Mississippi. He was the eighth child of ten siblings, which seven proceeded him in death; Limel, Emell, Nettie, Earline, Maybell, Luckett (Joe Boy) and Glen.
He was educated in the Attala County School System and employed at Garan Incorporated located in Kosciusko, Mississippi for several years. Upon closing of the plant, he became employed at Monfort Jones Hospital in Kosciusko for several years before retiring. For those that knew him, knew that he never retired, nor did he slow down. He always stayed busy. He especially loved farming and of all the vehicles he owned, the red tractor was his favorite. He loved planting several gardens and helping those in the community. When asked, "Why do you plant so many gardens?" He would say, "I never want to see anyone go hungry."
He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church in Ethel, MS. He served faithfully until his health failed, in Stewardship, as Trustee, as Sunday School Superintendent, and as member of the Pastor Parish Committee. On January 4, 1948. Melvin was united in holy matrimony to Mary Bell Washington. To this union 7 children was born.
From 1983 to 1991, he accomplished and received many accolades and awards such as Alderman of Ethel, MS for 8 terms under the leadership of Mayor Jerry Hensley; the Pioneer Award (Attala County Branch NAACP, 1997); a Certificate of Appreciation for service of Buffalo Charge PPRC received August 18, 2019. In addition, he was interviewed by Walt Grayson of Jackson, MS WLBT (Look around Mississippi).
Melvin was loved and cherished by many that knew him. He never met a stranger and always had a Word from the Lord to tell you. He always welcomed you into his home. Moreover, he loved the Lord dearly and knew the Bible very well. Faithfully, he would sit and study the Bible. While growing up, he made his children learn the Lord's prayer. Every Sunday morning, he would pick one to recite the Lord's Prayer at the table before breakfast. According to them, this was a scary time because they never knew who he was going to call to recite it.
On Friday night, November 8, 2019 in the arms of his baby girl Teresa , he answered his call from his father. He leaves to cherish those that loved him dearly: a precious wife of 72 years Mary Bell; 7 children: David (Cynthia) of Ypsilanti, MI; Willie of Detroit, MI; Louise (Eddie) Culpepper of Jackson, MS; John (Jean) of Milwaukee, WI; Lavelle (Ronald) Weaver of Bellville, MI; Rev. Michael Hughes of Ethel, MS; Teresa (Kenneth) Johnson of Tupelo, MS; 1 brother: (King David) Hughes of Ethel, MS; 1 sister-in-law: Savannah Hughes of Detroit, MI; 17 grandchildren and a host of great and great grandchildren who loved and cherished their Papa dearly; a host of nieces and nephews; Harry (Othello) Keeler and Larry (Georgette) Keeler of Jackson, MS who loved and cherished their Uncle Junior and always found precious time to spend with him; and Family & Friends.
PLACE OF SERVICE: Winters Funeral Home Chapel, Kosciusko, MS
DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday, 11/16/2019 at 11:00 a.m.
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