Hughes, George C.

George C. Hughes, 58, of Narrows, departed this life Sunday, November 19, 2006 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

George was born December 18, 1947 in Pearisburg and was the son of Lorraine Hopson Hughes and the late Ross Hughes. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his baby brother, Randy, “Fly” Hughes, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Marie Epperly.

A 1966 graduate of Narrows High School, he was a 1967-68 Vietnam veteran of the Third Marine Division, and a very active lifetime member of VFW Post #6000 of Narrows. At the time of his death, George served as Senior Vice Commander and Past Judge Advocate. He was also a member of American Legion Post #0141, and the Moose Lodge of Pearisburg. He retired from Bland Correctional Center after 30 years of service. George was a gentleman and very humble person, who enjoyed reading, camping and fishing. But the love of his life was his family.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 34 years, Elizabeth E. Hughes of Narrows; a daughter and her husband, Audrea M. and Chad Journell of Pearisburg; a son, George Ryan Hughes, of the home; two grandchildren, Kinsey and Chase Journell of Pearisburg; a brother and his wife, Charles and Linda Hughes of Narrows; a sister and her husband, Rita and David Fleeman of Narrows; three brothers-in-law, Tommy Hare of Phoenix, Arizona, Bill Spurlock of Delmar, Delaware, Gene and Sue Epperly of Cary, North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Juanita E. Hare of Phoenix; an uncle, Frank Hopson of Camden, Delaware; an aunt, Wanda Hughes of Princeton; several nieces and nephews, Brian and Shelley Hughes, Chris and Charity Hughes, and Keith and Angel Fleeman, all of Narrows, Michael and wife Violet Hughes of Colorado, Kristie and Rick Williams of Newport, Heath Hare and Sabrina Hare of Phoenix; a cousin, Edith Webb of Raven, Virginia; a special lifetime friend, Butch Hite, and others too numerous to mention.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 2 p.m. at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); 605 Memorial Boulevard in Narrows with the Rev. Dennis Martin and the Rev. Larry Clark officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows with graveside rites conducted by VFW Post #6000 of Narrows, American Legion Post #68 of Narrows and American Legion Post #311 of Pembroke. Fellow comrades of the Vietnam Era and VFW Post #6000 will serve as pallbearers. Former co-workers of Bland Correctional Center will serve as Honor Guard and honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the First Christian Church in Narrows Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider the Veterans Memorial Park or the Memorial Fund of First Christian Church in Narrows. Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows is serving the Hughes family. Online condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.riffes.com.