Thomas Edwin Hughes

Dr. Thomas Edwin Hughes (1945-2025)

Former Howard Elementary School principal, education professor, and church elder Tom Hughes, Ed.D., passed away on Father’s Day in Nashville in the company of his wife and son. Born in 1945 in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Hampton, Virginia, Tom moved to Tennessee to attend what is now Lipscomb University. Upon graduation, he became a teacher in Sumner County. Tom was soon drafted and served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. Staff Sergent Hughes received the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal. Upon his return, he married his sweetheart Faye Minor and soon resumed teaching. Tom also continued his own education, ultimately earning a Master’s from MTSU and a Doctorate in Education Administration and Supervision from TSU.

Tom may be best known as principal of Howard Elementary School from 1977 to 2002. His dedicated and innovative work there led to him being recognized in Washington DC in 1998 as Tennessee’s National Distinguished Principal (the first from Sumner County). Among many other honors and opportunities, Dr. Hughes also traveled to Beijing, China, with People Helping People, as an educational ambassador.

After retiring from Sumner County Schools, he served ten years at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. There, Professor Hughes taught educational leadership classes and was director of the Graduate School of Education, where he trained teachers to become school administrators. Prof. Hughes also later taught part-time at Union University’s Hendersonville campus.

Tom was also a longtime elder at Hartsville Pike Church of Christ in Gallatin, where he taught many Bible classes and led many youth programs and events, including directing the church camp for twelve years.

Tom was also a leader with the Gallatin Kiwanis Club, Keep Gallatin Beautiful, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts, and the Sumner County Museum. The City of Gallatin awarded him the Silver Quill for community service in 2002.

Tom was also passionate about running. In all, he participated in over 800 foot races. His recognition among the running community led to being a torch bearer for the 1996 Olympics. Some may also remember him walking across the state of Tennessee to motivate his elementary-school students. He also competed in the Tennessee and regional Senior Olympics. Tom’s passing followed a heart attack he suffered while jogging in a local park following a day of church work.

Tom is survived by his wife Faye of Gallatin, TN and son Brennan of London KY. Brennan and his wife Lydia have four sons—Dexter, Eliot, Chet, and Gibson. Tom is also survived by his sister Carol Martin, his brother Jesse, and their issue. Funeral services will be Saturday June 21 at Hartsville Pike Church of Christ in Gallatin at 11am. Visitation will be at the Church Friday June 20 from 4-7 pm, and on Saturday from 10am until time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Overcomer’s Ministry care of Hartsville Pike Church of Christ.