Mr. Winn E. Hughes

Winn E. Hughes of New Bern, North Carolina, died on Wednesday, November 21, 2012. Born September 22, 1920 in Lewis County, KY, Mr. Hughes was the son of the late Rose Carpenter and Mackey Hughes. He graduated as valedictorian at Tollesboro High School in Kentucky in 1939 and went on to Berea College earning an Economics degree in 1943. During WW II Mr. Hughes attended the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen School at Columbia University, N.Y. and was commissioned as an Ensign on the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1943. He served onboard the USS Dover, USS Tuscana and the USS Merewether AP 203 in the South Pacific arena during The Second World War. Later he attended the Graduate School of Economics at the University of Kentucky and then transferred to the U.S. Naval Recruiting station in New Bern, NC. In 1947 Winn E. Hughes married Mary Trenwith Duffy of New Bern and was employed by Sherwin-Williams. Later Mr. Hughes owned and operated the Hawks Appliance on downtown New Bern. Many residents will still remember the black and white RCA dog that sat for decades in front of the store on Middle Street. Mr. Hughes was a devoted member of Pleasant Acres Free Will Baptist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, SS Secretary, Church Clerk, and was an official on the church Board and Finance Committee. An enthusiastic participant in the New Bern community, Mr. Hughes belonged to VFW, and was also a member of New Bern JCC, the Order of the Elks, the Moose Lodge, and the New Bern, N.C. Chamber of Commerce. Governor Patton granted Mr. Hughes the title of Honorary Kentucky Colonel in 2002. A memorial service will be held on the banks of the Neuse River, at Mr. Hughes' home, 3002 Neuse River Drive, on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at 11:00 AM.