Royce Hughes

1941 - 2023

Lee Royce Hughes, 82, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Royce was born in Union County, Ga., to the late Edward and Elsie Mollie Price Hughes.
He was a 1958 graduate of Union County High School and played on the first football team. Royce attended Young Harris College before moving to Atlanta, Ga., where he worked for Sonoco Paper Products.
On Nov. 18, 1961, he married the love of his life, Muriel Dyer. He moved to Murphy in April of 1962 and began to work with his dad and brother at Hughes Electric. Royce later became co-owner and operator at the family business until 2022. 
He was a member and deacon at Murphy Bible Church, now MountainView Church. Royce was a member and past master of Montgomery Masonic Lodge No. 426 and the Franklin Chapter 95 York Rite Royal Arch Masons. He was a founding member of the Mountain Country Rod & Gun Club, and a past member of the Murphy Civitan Club.
He was the No. 1 fan for each and every grandkid and all the sports they participated in. Royce enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his grandsons at his side. He had a green thumb and liked gardening, growing flowers and keeping the birds well fed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Cook; and two brothers, Jack and Don Hughes.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Muriel Dyer Hughes; four daughters, Sonya Reid and husband Joey of Murphy, Sharon Gustason and husband Jeff of Blairsville, Ga., Sandra Hogsed and husband Dewayne of Murphy, and Susan Cornwell and husband Stacy of Murphy; a son, Steven Hughes of Murphy; 10 grandchildren, Drew McKeon, Cort McKeon and wife Tia, Grey Reid and wife Kayla, Kelsie Lockaby and husband Levi, Kyler Gustason, Sophia Hogsed, Mollie Cornwell and fiance Wesley Buchanan, Briggs and Saddie Corn-well, and Pierson Hughes; five great-grandchildren, Spencer, Logann and Baker Reid, Lincoln McKeon and Maisie Buchanan; two brothers, Richard Hughes of Ohio and Paul Hughes of South Carolina.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at MountainView Church with a nephew, pastor Stacy Dyer, officiating. Music was provided by brother-in-law Calvin Hood and his son, Brandon. The interment was in Notla Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers were Drew McKeon, Cort McKeon, Grey Reid, Kyler Gustason, Briggs Cornwell and Pierson Hughes. The members of Montgomery Masonic Lodge No. 426 conducted masonic graveside rites and served as honorary pallbearers.
The family received friends from 2-3:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at MountainView Church prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Royce Hughes to Gideons International, P.O. Box 164, Murphy, NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at iviefuneralhome.com.