Jerry Raymond Hughes

Jerry Raymond Hughes, age 75 passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at the Bland County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Bastian, VA. He was born November 8, 1946 in Coeburn, VA and lived at Darwin, VA. Jerry was autistic and was cared for by his mother and father until his mother passed in 1981. As his aging father was unable to care for him, the family was fortunate that Congressman William Wampler, Sr, took up Jerry’s cause. He helped secure a bed for him at Hillsville Training Center and Jerry remained at the Center until 2007 when the Center was being phased out. Under the oversite of Wall Residences, Jerry was fortunate to relocate to a group home in Galax, VA with a special caregiver, Scott Mays. Jerry thrived there with many trips to various sporting events until his health declined and he required more specialized care. (Although the family did have an “issue” when Galax played Clintwood in state football playoffs and Jerry wore a Galax High School hat, much to the consternation of his family of Clintwood High School graduates.) As Jerry aged, it became apparent that the group home of Scott Mays was no longer appropriate for Jerry’s needs. Rita Childress from Blairs, VA visited Jerry in Galax and decided he would be a good fit in her group home. After he arrived to his new home, she found Jerry needed medical attention. She undertook great effort to get him to the necessary specialists including an orthopedic surgeon, ear, nose, and throat doctor, and a skin specialist. She was largely responsible for an overall improvement in Jerry’s health. Regrettably, owing to a broken hip, Rita was unable to provide the specialized care for his recuperation. He was then blessed to go to another group home with Valerie Cooper and her amazing family at Danville, VA, who were able to provide some specialized care for Jerry and his broken hip. They enabled Jerry to continue to enjoy his life, especially eating and looking at his food magazines. Despite his mobility issues, Valerie saw that he attended church as often as possible. Eventually Jerry’s health required a hospital stay in August 2022 in Danville, VA; followed by stays at Kindred Care in Greensborough, NC and Wythe County Community Hospital in Wytheville, VA. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Gabe Hughes; sisters Jean Yarborough, Sue Mullins, Pauline Boggs, and Zella Stanley; and his brothers Gabe Hughes, Jr., Jimmie Hughes, and Donald Hughes. Survivors include: sister Juanita Campbell (Noble), his niece and Legal Guardian since 1981 Vicki (Boggs) Shiner, many nieces and nephews including Freida Hull, Lynn Grainger, Lesa Mullins, Rheda Kash, Mary Hencken, Jeffrey Boggs, Randy Bunch, Gene Wood, Craig Hughes, Dennis Hughes, Mike Hughes, and Tracy Wood. The family of Jerry is indebted to all the kindness shown him by his caregivers for over the past forty years. Their efforts enabled him to live a rich life full of new experiences, acceptance and especially love. A final thank you to Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their care and support to the family during Jerry’s final days. A graveside service for Jerry will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Boggs Cemetery, Honey Camp Branch, Clintwood, VA. Jim Shiner will officiate. Mullins Funeral Home and Staff are serving the Hughes family.

Jerry Raymond Hughes

November 8, 1946 - October 12, 2022