Brother Howard Ray Hughes, age 79 of McCaysville, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2014, at his home.He was born on Tuesday, May 14, 1935 to the late Thomas Aden and Nola Iowa Hughes. Brother Hughes had been a Baptist Preacher of the Gospel for fifty-six years. He was also a self employed owner in the furniture and appliance business. Brother Hughes was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church.

Survivors are his wife Merlene Hughes of McCaysville, GA; sons, Russell Hughes (Kathy) of McCaysville, GA and Alton Hughes of McCaysville, GA; daughters, Lorie Bearden (Gary) of Blue Ridge, GA and Stephanie Nicholson (Donnie) of Epworth, GA; brother, Max(Martha) Hughes of Canton, GA; sisters, Loretta Jones of Barberton, OH and Joyce Thomas of Ducktown, TN; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. from the Mountain View Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Patterson and Rev. Tommy Bell officiating. Music will be by J.W. Patterson. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday evening, December 22, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Donations may be made to the family to help defray final expenses. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill is in charge of the arrangements.