Mr. James R. “Boots” Hughes

Mr. James R. “Boots” Hughes, age 87, a resident of Rockwood, Tennessee passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2019 with his wife by his side. He was born August 13, 1932 in Glen Alice, Tennessee. He was the youngest son of the late Samuel A. Hughes and Cora B. Crabtree Hughes. He was a longtime member of the Whites Creek Baptist Church in Rockwood.

James served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he graduated from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee and became an elementary school teacher at the Eureka Elementary School in Rockwood. He was an accomplished and talented musician, playing many instruments, and gave lessons to anyone who wanted to learn.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Claude Hughes, J.D. Hughes, Ed Hughes, and Samuel “Cotton” Hughes; and sisters, Mon Edith Hughes, Roxie Hill, and Maddie McElhaney.

James is survived by:

His loving wife of 66 years:             Mary C. Foland Hughes of Rockwood, TN

Daughter:                                          Gloria (Sam) McElhaney of Decatur, TN

Granddaughter:                                Christy (Scott) Cagle of Decatur, TN

Great Grandchildren:                      Courtney (Tyler) Brown of Decatur, TN

                                                            Christian Cagle of Decatur, TN

2 Great-Great Grandchildren:       Abigail and Finnley Brown of Decatur, TN

Numerous nieces and nephews he loved dearly and many other relatives and friends.

Family and friends will meet on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Rockwood, Tennessee for graveside services and interment with Rev. Hascue Carter officiating. Full military honors will be given by the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard and the Tennessee Army National Guard.