Eric Leonard Hughes

Whereas God, in his infinite wisdom has deemed it necessary to call from our midst his servant Eric Leonard Hughes, we bow in humble submission to his will and pause to reflect upon the life, death, and resurrection of our loved one.
Eric Leonard Hughes, affectionately known as "Big E" was born September 14, 1965, to the union of Thelma Gaar-Parker and Harvey Hughes in Newport, Arkansas. This courageous Servant departed this life Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at South Pointe Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
Eric was introduced to Christ at an early age. He and his mother relocated to the Cleveland, Ohio area where he received his primary education before returning to Newport, Arkansas for a period. He ultimately returned to the Cleveland area and completed his high school education at Saint Peter Chanel Catholic High School in Bedford, Ohio. Eric furthered his education after once again returning to Newport, Arkansas with his attendance at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Eric had multiple jobs in Newport with his most recent position being at C&C Distributors before physical issues resulted in him taking a disability retirement.
Eric met no strangers and had an outgoing personality and always greeted everyone with a smile. His family and friends would always say to him, "you missed your calling to be a minister". He could talk in a manner of giving a sermon. He was an excellent orator. His ability to stand before an audience and speak on subjects and provide meaningful dialogue was without question. He could bring you to a level of enlightenment as well as that of levity.
Eric loved his family. His love for his mother, daughter and grandchildren were unfiltered. That love was especially evidenced by his devotion/support to ensure his grandchildren's growth in their education and extracurricular activities.
He loved spending time with his family cheering on the Greyhounds at games, helping his grandkids with school tutoring and attending football practices. Eric's time was equally spent with his uncles and friends engaging in his favorite pastimes, pitching horseshoes, playing dominoes, and watching sports. He also enjoyed grilling. He was a true grill master. His dishes were well cherished both from grill to the kitchen.
During the Covid outbreak, his support of his great aunt Jessie Dean was of great importance to her as a senior citizen. The family is grateful and thankful to him for taking on the responsibility when others weren't able to do so. He was always at her door to do her shopping and provide her with the necessary items she needed such as food, medication, and other supplies as she maintained a healthy quarantine environment. In addition, he kept her entertained with his jovial personality.
Eric was preceded in death by his father, Harvey Hughes, grandparents Katherine "Momma Kat" (Henry "Gent") Pruitt, Vernice (Olga, surviving) Gaar, great grandparents, Willie "Big Jones" (Nettie) Jones, aunts, Brenda Lee, Linda Pruitt, and Mary Katherine Pruitt, uncles Troy Pruitt and Willie Pruitt.
Eric leaves to cherish his legacy, his devoted and dedicated mother, Thelma, daughter, Erica Crump, grandchildren, Kason, K'auri, and Kaili, significant other, Taunikka Williams, aunts, Betty (Jimmy) Green, Shirley (Loyce) Walker, Deborah (Cleo) Davis, Pamela (Richard) Gaar-Jeter, and Veronica (Dave) Gaar-Johnson, uncles, Charles (Sylvialene) Pruitt, Jimmy (Sonya) Pruitt, Eddie (Sharon) Pruitt; two great aunts, Jessie Dean Jones and Mamie (Walter) Jenkins, two special aunts, Tillie Colter and Vivian Walker, special childhood friends, Dwayne Braxton, Lynette Taylor, Nina Taylor, Victoria McGee, and Natoya Minor.