Travis Ray Hughes : Obituary

Obituaries

Travis Ray Hughes, age 84, of Roswell, GA, passed away September 1, 2012. Ray grew up in Copperhill, TN, where he graduated from Copperhill High School in 1945. Even at the young age of 16, he already had an entrepreneurial spirit and opened a donut and hamburger shoppe where the young people loved to gather. Later, he decided to continue his education and attended Hiawassee College for a few semesters. In the meantime, he married the love of his life, Bobbie Davenport of Blue Ridge, GA, and they were married for 65 years. They resided in Blue Ridge for a while, and then moved to Washington, DC, where Ray worked in construction. This was followed by a move to Silver Spring, MD, which only lasted a short while as Ray was called into service in the Korean War. He served 4 years in the US Air Force in Wichita, KS, where their only daughter was born. After that, they moved to Smyrna, GA. Ray had always loved being a salesman, already having an entrepreneurial spirit, decided it was time to start his own business; so in 1967, Bobbie became his business partner as well as his life partner, and they started Ray’s Advertising Specialties. He was able to secure major accounts like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines. They were the first specialties sales company to offer Coca-Cola imprinted merchandise in catalog form that was distributed to all the Coca-Cola divisions, including foreign countries. Ray and Bobbie retired in 1998, and the company was turned over to their daughter and son-in-law, who still run the company (now known as Promotional Marketing Concepts). In 1981, Ray and Bobbie purchased a second home in Sandestin in Destin, FL, where they enjoyed spending time with their daughter and grandchildren. In 1990, they moved to Brookfield Country Club in Roswell, GA, where Ray resided until his death on September 1, 2012. Ray joined St. Matthew Methodist Church in Smyrna, GA in 1971 and attended Lebanon Baptist Church in Roswell for several years. He was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Gertrude Hughes of Copperhill, TN and his brother, AJ. Hughes of Riverdale, GA.

Ray is survived by his wife, Bobbie Davenport Hughes; his sister, Kathleen Arp of McCaysville, GA; his daughter and son-in- law, Vicki and Lee Wells of Roswell, GA; his grandson, Whitney Wells of San Diego, CA; and his granddaughter and her husband, Ashley and Jason Meadows of Woodstock, GA.

Funeral services will be held at Akins Funeral Home in Blue Ridge, GA on Saturday. September 8, at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Ron Hughes officiating. Eulogies will be given by Danny Hughes and Doug Davenport. Music will be by Bill Cristofanelli.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 8. Following the interment, there will be a reception for family and friends at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Doug Davenport, Doug Akins, Danny Hughes, Nathan Davenport, Guy Mitchell and Jay Cannon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Hughes may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.

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