Minister Sergeant Derek Hughes

Derek Wayne Hughes was born June 28, 1961, at St. John's Hospital, Springfield Illinois to the late Julia Mae Wheeler Hughes and John Elmer Hughes, Derek was the third youngest of fourteen children.

On September 22, 2025, at 0703 Derek Hughes affectionately called "Big Daddy" by his grandchildren was set free from his earthly body and gained his wings surrounded by love and support of his family. Derek graduated from Southeast High School in 1979. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the US Army. He faithfully served his country for 15 years, gaining a multitude of honors. He received a U.S. Meritorious citation badge where he was recognized for outstanding performance setting himself apart from others demonstrating superior performance of exceptional difficult tasks, just to name one. He was Active E5, Chemical NCO, and a sharpshooter to say the least.

In 1982, Derek married his long-term girlfriend, Janice Stelivan. From that union Shawn Daseanna and TaRhea were born.

Derek gave his life to Christ while serving in the US Army in Killeen, Texas where he joined United Faith Church under the ministry of Bishop Clarence and First Lady Louise Drummond where he served as a Decon and work faithful as the sound engineer. In 2000 he returned to his hometown of Springfield where he joined Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ where he became an ordained minister under the ministry of the late Bishop Juan Morrison Sr PhD. In 2019 he joined Word and Spirt Worship Center under the ministry of Pastor Dion Crites Sr.

Derek loved technology and worked for Texas Instruments as an IT Mangement Consultant for several years before moving back to Illinois. He held multiple management positions for Adecco, AT&T, and Horseman Insurance before retiring as a disabled Veteran. Derek played a pivotal role in his children's lives coaching their basketball and football teams. He loved football and baseball and his favorite team was the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs. Win lose or draw he supported his Illinois sports. Derek would always say "You never drop or switch your teams just because they're down. That's not loyalty at all!" You could always find him at a basketball, football game, dance competition and/or track meet. If his children and/or grandchildren were involved he was there supporting them. Derek was true definition of a family man. Anytime anyone, rather family, friends or foe needed him Derek was just a phone call away if he was able, he would be there.

Derek was preceded in death by his parents Julia and John Emler Hughes, his father-in-law, Melivn Stelivan, two brothers, John Elmer Jr., Steven Ray Hughes, brother-in-law Robert McBride and one sister, Cynthia Lynn Bowie.

Derek leaves to cherish in his memory; his devoted loving wife of forty-three years Janice Hughes of Springfield IL, one son Shawn Hughes, two daughters Daseanna and TaRhea Hughes all of Springfield IL. Nine grandchildren, Ke'Shawna Hughes, Rayveon Barger-Hughes, Mekhi Morgan, Shawn J. Hughes, Laniyah Hughes, Nakyla Morgan, Trayvon Hughes, Gaberiael Johnson and Takari Hughes all of Springfield IL and one great granddaughter Kamiera Hughes of Springfield IL. Two brothers Dennis Hughes of Westminster, CO; Dana (Bobbie) Hughes of Aurora CO; eight sisters, Edna Lewis, Virginia (Clark) Douglas, Jan (Purnell) Borders, Fayetta (Michael) Clemmons and Linda Kay (Steve) Barnell, all of Springfield, IL. Blanche (Carle) Abernathy of Denver, CO; Sandra (Robert) Hern of Smyrna, GA and Wanda (Tim) Cruz of Decatur, IL; mother-in-law Mae Stelivan of Springfield IL, four brothers-in-law Charles Ray, Kevin and Patrick (Francis) Stelivan all of Springfield IL, and Paul Bowie of Clinton, MD; two sisters-in-law Erma McBride and Carolyn (Bobby) McCrary of Springfield IL and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives.