Carl Hughes

Waynesville, Sir Carl Curtis Hughes, age 71, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at his residence. A native of Ashland, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Albert and Mildred Dixon Hughes. He was a US Air Force veteran and had resided in Waynesville for more than 12 years. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday-School teacher. Carl was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He was a Chaplain and served his community in many ways, including as a featured columnist for the Mountaineer. Carl is survived by his wife of 41 years, Leona Hughes; three daughters, Laura Shannon Koury and husband, Phillip, of Alexandria, Louisiana, Kelley Shannon Hankins and husband, David, of Memphis, Tennessee and Shelley Hughes of California; son, Robert Hughes, also of California; sister, Jeanne Nolan (Lawrence Hardin, Jr.), of Catlettsburg, Kentucky; four grandchildren, John Harrison Miller, III, Morgan Kelley Miller, Olivia Shannon Hankins, and Daniel Taylor Koury. Carl is survived by several loving nieces and nephews. Carl Curtis was a Nashville recording artist who performed with hundreds of country western stars as well as on the stage of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry. He also worked over 30 years overseas in the oil industry. While working in Africa, he patented a formula for an all-natural insect repellant and invented Whup-A-Bug. His humanitarian efforts were successful in reducing malaria and were recognized when he was knighted by the Knights of Malta Christian Order in 2009. Those who knew him will miss his kind and generous spirit, his compassionate heart and limitless capacity to love, touching the lives of many. He will be remembered as a man of faith, a leader, and an innovator. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at Antioch Baptist Church with Dr. Gary L. Hearon officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. prior to services at the church. Memorials may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 542 Iron Duff Road, Waynesville, NC 28785.

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