Edwin Pate Hughes

Edwin Pate Hughes, 84, of Pasadena, Texas, went to be with the Lord on January 9, 2014, in Pasadena, Texas. He was born on April 25, 1929, to Luther Adolphus and Maudie Dee Dillen Hughes, in Timpson, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, William Otis and Mary Evelyn Hughes; niece, Lynda Kay Post; and great-nephew, Robert Hughes. He is survived by his loving wife, Florence Shirley Hughes, daughters and sons-in-law Laura Dee Hughes Swartz and husband Alan, of Flint, Texas; Martha Florence Hughes Silos and husband Isaac Jr. of La Porte, Texas; and son David Pate Hughes, of Pasadena, Texas; granddaughters Meghan Lynn Swartz, Sabrina Florence Silos, and Mandy Elisabeth Silos; nephew Joe Wayne Hughes and wife Nell; great-nieces Robin Cantrell, Jill Serralde, Misty Post, Lisa Phelps; and great-nephews Todd Pitman and Rodney Hughes. Pate graduated from Timpson High School in 1947. He served in the Army during the Korean War, and was stationed in both Korea and Japan. He later married Florence Shirley Etheridge on June 13, 1959, and was blessed with 54 years of marriage. He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, Shell Oil Refinery Laboratory, Sheffield Steel Company, and the United States Postal Service. He retired after 27 years as a faithful letter carrier. During his earlier years, Pate enjoyed drawing plans for 2 houses, and built most of them himself. He also loved to garden, graft pecan trees, feed the birds and the squirrels, and play 42 dominoes. He was a faithful Deacon and member of South Main Baptist Church, Pasadena, for 55 years. He also served as a Family Life Center volunteer. He was a kind, gentle man with a great love for His Lord, and is now enjoying His eternal presence. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, January 12, 2014, at Rosewood Funeral Home, 3939 Pasadena Blvd., Pasadena, Texas. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2014, at South Main Baptist Church, 4300 East Sam Houston Pkwy. S., Pasadena, Texas 77505. A Graveside Service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at Blair Cemetery, in Timpson, Texas. Any donations may go to the Deacon Crisis Fund at South Main Baptist Church, Pasadena, Texas.