Thurman Hughes

“I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God." On July 4, 1936 Silvanous and Cora Locke Hughes not only celebrated Independence Day, but they also celebrated the birth of Thurman. Thurman was born and raised in Manning, Arkansas. Later the family moved to Sparkman where he lived his entire life. At an early age he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He was a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church and attended regularly until his health began to fail. At Macedonia Baptist Church, Bro. Thurman modeled the scripture: “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God”, where he served dutifully as an Usher. Not only was Thurman a doorkeeper at the church, but he was an avid outdoors man, having worked as a logger to support his family. Thurman loved the outdoors and some of his favorite pastimes were hunting, and fishing, but spending quality time with his family and friends was the highlight of his life. The Lord blessed Thurman with 9 beautiful children. His laughter, his love and his smile will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven:………on Sunday, December 14, 2008, in his 72nd season surrounded by his family and friends there to bid him farewell, he passed from time into eternity. Those awaiting his arrival and to welcome him to his eternal home were his parents, his wife Thelma “Net” Knox Hughes, his son Tony A. Hughes, his sisters and brothers, Lester Hughes, Queen Ester Hughes Williams, Mary Hughes, Danley Hughes, Naomi Hughes Wright, Ida Butler, Genova Hughes, Laura Harrison, Samuel Hughes, and Harry rucks. His life could never be duplicated, and his influence will live on in the lives of his children, Connie Johnson of Milwaukee, WI, Larry D. Hughes of Sparkman, AR, Warnette Hunter of Milwaukee, WI, Terry L. Hughes of Sparkman, AR, Barbara Hughes of Milwaukee, WI, Dexter Knox of Nashville, TN, Thelton W. Hughes and his wife Gay of Arkadelphia, AR, and Megan Knox of Euless, TX; two beautiful sisters Liza Russell and her husband Edgar of Milwaukee, WI, and Eari Wesley and her husband P. J. of Milwaukee, WI; one brother Elbridge “John” Locke and his wife Naomi of Milwaukee, WI; his caretaker and first wife Shirley Hughes of Milwaukee, WI; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and a caravan of nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, friends, the Macedonia Baptist Church family and the Hughes Deer Club. The Hughes family has planned a service of Celebration and Tribute to the life of their beloved father Mr. Thurman Hughes, to be held on Friday, December 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of Macedonia Baptist Church in Sparkman, Arkansas. Rev. J. L. Newborn, the pastor will preach the celebration message. The committal service and final resting place will be at Harmony Community Cemetery. Those who want to respectively view Mr. Hughes may do so, on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 12:00 noon. until 4:00 p.m. The family will receive friends and share with them the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church in Sparkman. Larry D. Hughes, Terry L. Hughes, Dexter Knox, and Thelton Hughes, will serve as bearers of the casket in honor to their father. His grandsons, Kelsey Starks, Coy Hughes, Terry Hughes, Jr., Derius Holt, Michael Johnson, LaKente Quarles, Aaron Allen George Spencer, his nephews and the Hughes Deer Club members will serve as honorary bearers of the casket.