Reverend Donald Ray "Boogie" Hughes, 73 , of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Sunday, December 25 2022 in Beaumont, Texas.

The Celebration Services for Reverend Hughes will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Live Oak Baptist Church (895 Oakland Street - Beaumont, Texas 77701). Military Burial Service for Reverend Hughes will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas under the direction of Mercy Funeral Home. A public viewing will be held for Reverend Hughes from 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel and visitation on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the church, with the practice of social distancing and facial masks required.

Obituary

Reverend Donald Ray "Boogie" Hughes was born in Beaumont, Texas, on December 15, 1949, to the late Verda Mae Wright-Hughes and Earl Hughes. He was the youngest son of six children born to Mrs. Verda Hughes.
He accepted Christ at an early age at Starlight Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend McCarty. He worked out his salvation by serving as a scout master at his church and helping friends and family when called upon. He worked his way through school by working at Bland's Feed Store. Several men in the community (including but not limited to his uncles, the late Aubrey (KaPee) and Steve, Jr. (Buck)Wright, the late Mr. Bland, his childhood boss, and the late Robert "Bob" Mouton, his stepfather) took the time to teach him life-long lessons that will carry him out into eternity.
He was a product of Bethune; Dunbar Elementary, Lincoln Junior High, and Charlton-
Pollard High School in Beaumont, Texas. Immediately after graduation in 1968, Donald joined the United States Navy and served most of his time in the U.S.S. Princeton Naval Ship. It was here that he was given the opportunity to assist in the recovery of the Apollo 10, (the second U.S. satellite in history to orbit the moon, in 1969). He was stationed in Vallejo, California a year later.
One night he had a dream of a beautiful lady after praying for a wife. He began searching the area high and low for this lady with no success.
In 1970, Donald was awarded leave to return home to Beaumont, Texas to attend his sister's wedding. After the ceremony, it seemed that he had a deja vu experience. He saw a living image of the woman in his dreams, including her exact outfit. Being the confident fellow he was, Boogie approached her with the pickup line, "They might as well make this a double wedding cause we gon' get married." Despite her refute, Donald and Vernett eventually married in 1973. Two daughters were born to them. With the suggestions of close friends and family, Boogie and Vernett chose to name their daughters after them, (Donya and Vernetta.)
Donald trained and was awarded his Journeyman Certificate through the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, in 1976. He carried out his knowledge in Carpentry, painting, and home remodeling.
Donald and his family attended St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of the late Reverend William Ward. He received his minister's license while serving under Pastor Edison Colbert at Paradise Baptist Church. He became known as Reverend/Uncle Boogie. Other congregations that were blessed by his services were Greater Maple Grove Missionary Baptist Church, New Booker Missionary Baptist Church, and Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church.
He joined Live Oak Missionary Baptist until God called him home. Through the support of the church, he was able to serve the homeless and help families in need. Donald enjoyed his time as personal building consultant for many local churches and organizations.
Donald Hughes took on the role of favorite cousin/uncle to many nieces, nephews, cousins, and god-children with the goal to be a father figure and positive role model in their lives.
On December 25, 2022, Donald Hughes was called home by God. He is preceded in death by his parents, Verda Mae Wright-Hughes and Earl Hughes; brothers and sisters, Margaret Pauline Tyler, Jake Hughes, Pauline Antoine, Carrie Michaels and Glen Hughes.

Donald Hughes is survived by his wife of fifty years, Vernett Routt Hughes; two daughters, Donya Hughes of Beaumont, Texas and Vernetta Hughes Baytown, Texas; "adopted" goddaughter, Inghram Johnson of Beaumont, Texas; one granddaughter, Morgan Edwards of Baytown, Texas; one grandson, Kainen Johnson- Sims, one             great-grandson, Kaiden Johnson; three sisters, Joyce Booker of Houston, Texas, Linda Chagois of Beaumont, Texas, Marilyn Dumas (Michael) of Beaumont, Texas; one brother, Freddie Hughes of Beaumont, Texas; and two brother-in-laws, George Maple (Sylvia) and Richard Routt (Maciel); a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.