James Laried ""Sleepy"" Hughes departed this earthly life to join his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in eternal heaven on Thursday, June 20, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Born in Center, Shelby County, Texas on October 31, 1932, he was the second of six children born to Jim Farrell and Ila Gay (Powell) Hughes. Preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark David Hughes; sister, Rosa LaVerne Hughes Andrews and brother, Howard Patton Hughes, James is survived by his wife of 57 years and 8 months, Blanche Marie (Parker) Hughes; sons Michael Laried Hughes (Donna) and Jeffrey Dale Hughes (Debra); daughter Delaina Marie Hughes Laursen; nine grandchildren, Amanda Jean Hughes Dowdy (David), Matthew Laried Hughes (Auriana), Dustin James Brooks (Julie), Jennifer LaNay Hughes (Bill), Ash-Lee Marie Gatton Ramirez (Sunny), Rashael Rose Hughes Thomas (Joshua), Derek Taylor Hughes, Cody James Clark and Colton Dale Hughes, and ten great-grandchildren, Keeley Mae Alvarez. Jeramiah Daniel Gatton, Anthony Daniel Mora, Melody Marie Ramirez, Jenna Rose Thomas, Joshua Thomas. Jr., Jordyn Lolani Thomas, Caroline Grace Dowdy, Lexi Elizabeth Brooks and Liam Laried Hughes. He is also survived by brother, Glenn Hurst Hughes (Beverly); sisters, Melba Ann Hughes Trahan (Beldon), Patsy Gail Hughes Davis Coleman (Mark) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after serving in Germany during the Korean Conflict, James moved to Orange, Texas where he and Blanche met. Together with two other couples, they were married in a triple wedding ceremony performed by Rev. Woodrow Kennedy at Cove Baptist Church in Orange on October 28, 1955. They moved to Baytown in 1970, where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for U.S. Steel. Later he and two of his sons opened Sleepy's Hollow, a barbecue and catfish restaurant near Lake Sam Rayburn in Brookeland, Jasper County, Texas. Health problems eventually necessitated closure of the restaurant and return to the Baytown home-place. He was an avid automobile enthusiast and over the past few years enjoyed showing his classic cars as a member of Bayshore Fine Rides Car Club.
James was ordained as a Deacon at Brookeland Missionary Baptist Church. After returning to Baytown he became a Deacon at Wooster Baptist Church and also taught the Senior Men's Sunday School Class. He dearly loved his Lord and Savior and his church.
Special thanks and appreciation goes to Doctors Philip T. Eiehelbergcr, Jr., Boutros P. Kahla, Matt R. Khoshnevis, Robert l.eggington, Sharik J. Rauf, Magdy Abdelsayed and Deepa R. Sashitel, and to the staff of San Jacinto Methodist Hospital and Kindred Hospital of Baytown for their excellent treatment, care and concern during James' extended illness.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24. 2013, at Navarre Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. at Wooster Baptist Church. 7007 Bayway Drive, Baytown, TX with Bro. Jason Shuttlesworth officiating. A graveside service will take place on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in Brookeland Cemetery, Jasper, Shelby County, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Dr. David Dowdy, William ""Bill"" Metz, Matthew Hughes, Derek Hughes, Cody Clark and Colton Hughes. Honorary pallbearers will be life-long friends, Pat windham and Ted Matkin, members of Wooster Baptist Church, Sunny Ramirez, Joshua Thomas Dustin Hughes and great grandsons, Jeramiah Gatton, Anthony Mora, Joshua Thomas, Jr. and Liam Hughes.
Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.
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