Yerby L Hughes, Jr,

Graveside services for Mr. Yerby L. Hughes, Jr. will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Old Marion Cemetery with Brother John Sweeney officiating. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Hughes, 91, of Meridian, passed away July 23, 2019 at Poplar Springs Nursing Center of Meridian.   He was born September 26, 1927 in Beaumont, Texas to parents Yerby L. Hughes, Sr. and Dorothy Heath Hughes.

By profession Mr. Hughes was an Electrical Engineer licensed in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.  He was also a registered Land Surveyor.  In his long career Mr. Hughes worked for Utility companies designing substations and transmission lines, was President and General Manager of Hughes Telephone Company in Bailey, MS, and Project Manager for McElroy Electric Company prior to opening the offices of Hughes Consultants and Engineering with his wife and son.   In his leisure time Mr. Hughes enjoyed golfing, horseback riding, attending sports events, and fishing.   He was especially fond of fishing at Table Rock Lake in Blue Eye, Missouri.

Mr. Hughes’ military service began in January 1946 when he joined the Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  He served in World War II and the Korean Conflict in the Infantry and was trained in anti-aircraft artillery.    After being discharged from the Army in 1947 Mr. Hughes joined the Army Reserve.  Twice he was called to active duty, serving at Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Polk, LA.  At Fort Bliss he was an Instructor of radar equipment operation and at Fort Polk he was in charge of Signal Supply to the entire post.  He retired from the Reserves as a Captain.  Mr. Hughes easily identified with military life and quickly took to its orderly methods of conduct.   He carried this with him even into his later years.  He often would make his entrance with a salute while stating:   “Captain Yerby Lee Hughes, Jr. reporting for duty.”    It is conceivable that Mr. Hughes approached the portals of Glory stating he was “reporting for duty.”

Mr. Hughes  is survived by his wife of nearly 71 years, Marty Jean Hughes; son , Yerby L. Hughes, III; daughter, Dottie Sharp (Newt); Grandchildren, Yerby L. Hughes, IV, Vicki Morgan;  great-grandchildren, Devin, Colby, Kristina, and Mariah;  brother, Jim Hughes (Patsy), and numerous extended family members and friends.

Mr. Hughes is preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Betty Lavergne and Bobbie Landry.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Henderson, Bland Allen, Jack Frazier, Michael Semmes, David McDonald, Jeff Mckee, Brian McCary.  Honorary pallbearers are Newt Sharp, Murray Brinson, and Mitch Wayne Landry.

The family would like to express special thanks for the exceptional care and compassion given at Poplar Springs Nursing center by the entire staff.

The family would like to suggest that memorials be made to a charity of your choice supporting U.S. Veterans in lieu of flowers.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com

The family will receive friends from 11:30 until 12:30 at the funeral home, Saturday, July 27, 2019.