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Collie Ray (Bo) Hughes, 98, of Cantonment, Fla., passed away on January 4, 2020, at his home. He was born in Excel, on January 4, 1922, to the late George Cobb Hughes and Lula Bell Powell Hughes.

His father, George, was a sharecropper, and at the age of 12, his father modified a plow for him to be able to plow behind a mule.

Despite only having a sixth grade education, he did very well for himself. He became a crane operator at the Mobile Steel Co. from February 1942 until his time of enlistment. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served on the following ships: NTS Bainbridge, Md., USS Greiner (DE-37) and the USS Natoma Bay (CVE 62). When World War II officially ended, he was on a ship 300 miles from the Tokyo harbor. He was honorably discharged on February 10, 1946. 

On April 20, 1946, he married Mary Jean Murphy and was by her side until the day the Lord called her home. He was employed for 30 years at the St. Regis Paper Co. in Cantonment, Fla. His favorite past time was traveling the roads spending time with family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Lula; his wife of 41 years, Mary Jean Murphy Hughes; one son, Derick Allen Hughes; and two sisters, Nettie Lou Lilley and Marguree Womack.

He is survived by his two sons, Robert (Anne) Hughes of Lottie and  Marcus (Patty) Hughes of Cantonment; six grandchildren, Chris (Pam) Hughes of Palm Bay, Fla., Steve (Michelle) Hughes of Dania Beach, Fla., Cindy (Rex) McKinley of Atmore, Mary (Todd) Walker of Lucedale, Miss., Carey Hughes of Lottie and Carla (Jarrett) Crysell of Perdido; 11 great-grandchildren, Chace (Claire) Godwin, Stephen Hughes, Gracie Godwin, Dylan Hughes, Cagan Crysell, Nicole Hughes, Laura Jane Hughes, Kimber Walker, Braden Crysell, Emma Walker and Mia Hughes. Other survivors include nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held January 7, 2020 at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Chapel with Bro. C. L. Langford and Bro. Chris Pruitt officiating. Interment followed in Enon Baptist Church Cemetery in Goodway with military honors.

Active pallbearers were Chris Hughes, Steve Hughes, Carey Hughes, Chace Godwin, Stephen Hughes, Dylan Hughes, Cagan Crysell and Braden Crysell.

Visitation was held January 6, 2020 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.

Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.