Charles Lynward Hughes

Lynn Hughes, 76, from Echols County, GA passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL from a very short sickness, with his wife and children holding his hands. He was born on April 5, 1947, in Valdosta, GA (and liked to tease his wife about being 5 days older than him as they were born in the same hospital and there together at birth).
Not only was Echols County home to Lynn, but teaching the students who went through Echols County Schools was his passion. He was not an ordinary teacher as his ways of reaching the students were very personal. Many former students mention Mr. Hughes as their most memorable teacher, not only for teaching educational skills, but for also teaching them everyday life skills and helping them become successful in life. He was an Ag. teacher for 28 years, then high school principal, and later the Echols County Schools Superintendent. Helping to plan and have the new Echols County Elementary and Middle School built was probably one of his proudest accomplishments, as well as being inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Education Hall of Fame.
Lynn farmed as a side job for most of his adult life and passed the love of farming and the outdoors to his children and grandson, Colby. After retirement, he and his brother, Harold, could often be found fishing at Lake Octahatechee.
Lynn was a hard-working man who could do just about anything he set his mind to. He loved to help his children with any project, big or small. He could fix or build or plan anything after studying on it for as long as it took in his recliner. He put his whole heart into his last project of restoring his wife’s childhood home. Sandra’s cooking always made him happy, and Friday nights were their favorite when it was time for Colby to spend the night and play card games. To most of the world, he was “Lynn” or “Mr. Hughes”, but at home he was simply “Daddy” and “Grandpa”. He was always ready and loved to help his children with anything they needed, including giving good advice. Nothing this side of Heaven will ever fill the void he leaves behind.
Lynn was married to Sandra Gail (Tomlinson) Hughes for 58 years. They have three children, Tim Hughes, Angela Hughes, and Abigail Davis and husband Corey, two grandsons, Colby Davis (the sunshine in his life) and Cameron Davis. He has a brother-in-law, Clyde Tomlinson and wife Kathryn, sister-in-law, Anita Mayer and husband Hank, a sister-in-law, Joyce Tomlinson, and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his infant daughter, his Mama and Daddy, Carl and Norma Mae (Corbett) Hughes, brothers Claude, Harold, and Lavaughn Hughes, brother-in-law Derrell Tomlinson, and mother and father-in-law, J.D. and Jonnie Lee Tomlinson.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Music Funeral Services of Valdosta. The funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm, Monday, September 25, 2023, at Francis Lake Baptist Church with burial to follow in Carter Cemetery. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Charles Lynward Hughes family is being served by the caring and professional staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.