Roy Lee Hughes

Roy Lee Hughes

June 26, 1932 – February 16, 2024

          Rev. Roy Lee Hughes, 91, of Galatia and Golconda, peacefully departed this life into the presence of the Lord on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 11:09 p.m. at the Marion V.A. Hospital.  He was born on June 26, 1932, in Harrisburg, IL, to Henry and Velma (Pankey) Hughes.  Roy grew up hunting and fishing all around Southern Illinois.  His love for the outdoors, as well as baseball, continued throughout his life.  During his childhood, Roy and his family often enjoyed trips to Golconda, where his parents later established Hughes Landing Campground.  As much as he loved the outdoors, the Ohio River, and the St. Louis Cardinals, Roy’s love for the Lord, his family, and people was evident every day.   

            Roy graduated Harrisburg High School in 1950.  Post high school, he worked in an ammunition factory, surveyed power lines for the REA, and farmed.  During this time, Roy asked Jesus into his heart as his Lord and Savior and was baptized.  

            Answering the call to service to his country, Roy completed his basic training at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania and joined the 27^th Infantry Regiment Wolfhounds.  Roy served in the Korean War from 1952 – 1954.  He earned several medals, including the Combat Infantry Badge, the Korean Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Bronze Service Star.  Roy always held a deep love for our country and our veterans. He always got tears in his eyes when he would hear the National Anthem and God Bless America. 

            When Roy returned home from Korea, he married Doris Evelyn Simpson, in 1955.  In 1959, Roy accepted the call into ministry and was ordained.  His first pastorate was Karber’s Ridge Church.  In 1960, Gregory Lee was born.  Soon after Greg’s birth, they moved to Indiana for Roy to attend Oakland City College.  In Indiana, Roy pastored Velpen General Baptist Church, and then he pastored Bethlehem General Baptist Church in Vincennes, Indiana.  During this time, he led in building a new church building. He and a dear friend, John DeSanto, established the Commitment Evangelist Association.  This ministry involved conducting revivals, youth camps, youth centers, and shared the Gospel of Christ on a weekly TV show.  In 1965, Roy and Doris welcome their daughter Diana Lee.  Their daughter, Deidre Lee, arrived in 1970.

            Roy and his family returned to Southern Illinois.  He briefly pastored Pankeyville Baptist Church.  He then accepted the call to Galatia First Baptist Church. Roy and his family moved into the Parsonage of Galatia First Baptist Church. Galatia proved to be the perfect hometown for the Hughes children to grow up. All the relationships and experiences of the community shaped who they are as adults.  Roy pastored Galatia First Baptist Church from 1970 – 1980.  During this time, the church grew in membership and led the Illinois Baptist Association in baptisms. He led the church in building its current sanctuary.  Roy resigned Galatia First Baptist to revitalize the Commitment Evangelism Association as a full-time evangelist.  Although he missed his family, he loved preaching revivals across the country.

After approximately three years of evangelism, he became the chaplain of Vienna Correction Center.  Roy loved his prison church. He spoke fondly of all the men that had their lives changed through the forgiveness of Christ.  He was very pleased that he received an award from the Illinois Department of Corrections for the best chaplain program in the state. The family moved into the cabin Roy built on the family farm at the Ohio River.  He enjoyed the quiet life of Golconda.  He loved coffee with his friends at the Dairy Barr.  He loved watching movies, especially westerns.  He and the Hughes Landing Cardinal Coffee House Crew loved watching Cardinal baseball at the campground.  He loved sitting by his wood stove and studying and writing sermons.

In addition to being chaplain, he also pastored Pleasant Valley Baptist.  He referred to this as his Street Church.  He led this church in building a family life center/gym.  After he retired as a chaplain, Roy became a mentor recruiter for paroled convicts in the U-Can program.  He resigned that position when he accepted the pastorate of Harco Baptist Church.  During the 21 years of service at Harco, he led the church in building their educational building.and their gym/fellowship hall.  Medical conditions required Roy to retire from Harco.  When retired from Harco, the Illinois Baptist Association presented him with the Bi-Vocational Pastor of the Year award.  After three weeks of retirement, Roy accepted the call to pastor Herod Springs Baptist Church. With concerns of Roy traveling through the hills of Pope County and the desire to provide for their elderly, former pastor, Harco Baptist Church compelled Roy to return as associate pastor.  Roy loved Harco Baptist Church.  Harco Baptist Church provided him with the means to continue meaningful ministry in spite of failing health. He returned to living in Galatia where he enjoyed his time with his Kelley’s Kitchen Coffee Crew. 

Throughout Roy’s 65 years of ministry, he loved serving the Lord through countless revivals, Vacation Bible Schools, church camps, Sunday School, and Bible studies. He performed weddings, preached funerals, visited the sick in hospitals, nursing home visits, provided for the needy, wrote countless sermons, and baptized so many people.  He loved preaching on the Baptist Hour radio program. He loved serving as pastor to the community.  He enjoyed attending all school events, ballgames, drinking coffee with friends, and telling jokes.  He spent a lifetime of ministering to others.  He had a way of making everyone feel special, important, and loved.  He loved his family beyond measure, and he always took time for them.  However, his biggest passion was preaching the love of God and the salvation that Jesus provides. Roy loved serving the Lord and serving people.  Roy Lee Hughes was truly a pastor to all.   

Roy is survived by his son, Gregory and his wife, Jane (Puckett) Hughes, daughter, Diana (Hughes) and her husband, Roger Teal, and daughter, Deidre Hughes.  Roy has six grandchildren; Adam Hughes and his wife, Beth (Stokes); Kimberly (Hughes) Jefferson and her husband, Jesse James Jefferson IV; Rachel (Hughes) Price and her husband, Justin Price; Josiah Teal and his wife, Lindsay (Sanders); Jeremiah Teal and his wife, Kassi (Jones), and Jolie Hughes.  He has seven great-grandchildren; Brooklyn, Nathan, Hailey, and Bailey Hughes (Adam and Beth’s); and Lacey, Kylee, Ezra Price (Rachel and Justin’s); and Kimberly and Jessie are expecting great-grandson, Jessie James Jefferson V; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Roy was preceded in death by his wife, Doris (Simpson); first born son, Rickey; father, Henry; mother, Velma (Pankey); and two brothers, Charles and Michael. 

All services will be held at Galatia First Baptist Church, 104 E. Church Street, Galatia, Illinois.

Officiates are Dr. Greg Hughes and Pastor Roger Teal.

Visitation:  Tuesday, February 20^th

     4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Service: Wednesday, February 21^st

  11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 a.m. to funeral hour. 

Interment:  Ingram Hill Cemetery

                    Harrisburg, Illinois

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Carmi Baptist Childrens Home or Harrisburg American Legion (Color Guard). Sloan Funeral Home of Galatia in charge of arrangements.

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