On September 16th, 1938, Roy Hughley, Sr. graced the lives of parents Mr. Zire (Son) Hughley, Sr. and Mrs. Ada Russell-Hughley in Zebulon, Georgia.

Through God's love and his parent's guidance, the family and yes, the world received a phenomenal son, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and civil rights activist.

Roy was the 6th of 8 children and the youngest boy. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: W.J. Hughley, Jesse Hughley, Henry Ella Evans, Mildred Hughley and Zire Hughley.

Roy was educated in the Pike County Schools System, graduating from Pike County Consolidated High School in the Class of 1956 as a Valedictorian. After graduating High School, Roy served in the U.S. Army and National Guard.

Roy worked in Law Enforcement for many years in Pike and Spalding Counties. He was the first Black Jailor with the Spalding County Sheriff's Department.

Roy caught the eye of Mary Jean (Sook) Parks, and they were united in Holy Matrimony and celebrated 64 years of marital bliss, supporting each other in their individual and collective endeavors. Fruits of this union are: Angela V. Hughley, Roy Hughley, Jr., Gregory M. Hughley and Stanley B. Hughley.

At an early age, Roy joined Mt. Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He was very active in the church and served on the Deacon Board for many years, some of those years as Chairman of the Deacon Board. Roy served as a surrogate father to many, but three very special to him were Christopher (Chris) Worthy, Minister Rufus Clemons and Crystal Clemons-Willis.

Roy was highly active during the Civil Rights Era, being a pioneer activist in Pike County, serving as President of the NAACP, the Voter's League, and the Southern Christian Leadership Coalition (SCLC). Roy organized many voter's rights registration events throughout the county. He took on the Pike County Board of Education and Pike County Commissioners by filing a Federal Lawsuit against the Board of Education for not ever having a Black or Female to serve on the Board. Winning his lawsuit in Federal Court, Pike County received its first black, first female, and youngest at that time to ever serve on the Board of Education, Angela V. Hughley, who was the daughter of the plaintiff in the lawsuit. Roy was an advocate for the underserved and underprivileged.

Roy gained his wings and flew to Jesus on October 30th, 2023 at 9:30 A.M. He leaves to cherish his memories: Daughter: Angela V. Hughley; three (3) Sons: Roy Hughley, Jr., Gregory M. Hughley and Stanley B. Hughley; Godson: Chris Worthy; Grandchildren: Cedric Brown, Sharice Watson-Wilkins, Maria Adoracion Hughley and Martin Hughley; Great-Grandchildren: Cedric Brown, Jr., Aliyah Brown, Shavion Brown, Caleb Wilkins, Heisel Hughley and Ayana Brown; Sister's: Betty Hughley-Alexander, Elizabeth (Arthur) Childs; Brother: John Hughley; Sister's-in-Love: Geraldine Hughley, Annie Maude Hines, Olivia Holmes, Mae Backham, Patricia Beckham, Linda (Robert) Parks, Hilda Godley, Lettie Jean McIntyre; Brother's-in-Love: James (Mildred) Moreland, Arthur Parks, Charles (Betty) Burden; Special Cousins: John (JT) Rucker, Valerie Hughley, Charlie (Diane) Hughley, Gwen Gordon, Sherley (Ralph) Montgomery and Connie Daughtry; Special Nieces: Sharon Passmore, Alesia Hines, Karen Alexander and Otearia Hamm; Special Nephew: Marcus Hines; Special Friends: Harold Williams, Shirley Flemister, Ernest and Loretta Grier; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who will dearly miss him.

Complete arrangements are currently displayed below.

McDowell's Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with care.