Obituary for Jerries Laverne "Jerris" Hughes
Jerris L. Hughes a husband, son, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, God-father, uncle, friend, cousin, Deacon, encourager, educator, veteran, teacher, fraternity brother, role model, and man of God!
Jerris L. Hughes was born May 9, 1940, in Jacksonville, FL, to the late Brister and Gladys Johnson Hughes. Jerris was the youngest of four children, Carl C. Hughes, Sr., Rudolph Hughes (deceased), and Woodrow Hughes (deceased), and himself.
He was a longtime resident of Philadelphia, PA, before returning to Jacksonville, his birthplace, at the regal age
of 81, and shortly thereafter he peacefully transitioned to his eternal resting place in heaven.
Jerris was educated in the Duval County Public Schools, graduating from New Stanton High in 1958. He continued
his studies at Edward Waters College of Jacksonville and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL, graduating in 1964. Jerris also received his Master’s plus 30 from Cheyney University in Cheyney, PA.
Jerris was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1965, served in Vietnam for two years, and received an honorable discharge.
After his military service, Jerris fell in love and followed his heart, marrying Shirline Kimbrough on August 14,1966, and they migrated to Philadelphia, PA shortly thereafter. From this union, they were blessed with three bundles of joy. Jerris worked for the Camden School District and the School District of Philadelphia as a physical education teacher for over 35 years, retiring in 2005. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where he proudly served.
Jerris loved the Lord and accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a very young age, and was baptized by Reverend A.B. Coleman at Shiloh Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. As Jerris continued his Christian walk with the
Lord, he later joined New Light Beulah Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Taylor C. Killebrew, Philadelphia, PA. where he served in the male chorus. His continued hunger for God’s word led him and his
family to Philippian Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Samuel Amos Brackeen, where he was
ordained a Deacon. There, he was very active in various ministries, which included the combined choir, male
chorus, Sunday school, and vacation Bible school. Still hungering and thirsting for spiritual growth, he and
family united with the Greater Exodus Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Herbert H. Lusk
II. Along with the Deacon’s ministry, he was very active in Marriage Enrichment Ministry, male chorus, adult
choir, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and summer camp “I’m Special.” Jerris and Shirline decided to live
out their retirement years, thus returning to Jacksonville, FL, in September 2021, and united with Open Arms
Community Church, under the pastorate of Bishop Leofric Thomas, Sr.
Jerris was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan; he had many interests, which included shopping (he LOVED to dress),
traveling, fine dining, and spending time with family and friends. Jerris had a passion for helping others, and he
freely gave of his time to volunteer and mentor children.
In conjunction with the many roles he fulfilled, he was a devoted loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-
grandfather. Words cannot express his faithfulness in the caring for his wife after she suffered a stroke in 2017.
He was her caregiver, always at her side, and made sure she lacked for nothing. He truly honored his marriage
vows in sickness and in health.
Jerris touched and had an impact on so many lives and will be sorely missed. He leaves to cherish his memory:
a loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Shirline; children, Tara S. Hughes-Brumsey (Darryl) of Philadelphia;
twins, Jerris D. Hughes, Sr. (Stephanie), of VA and Jerelyn D. Hughes-Keith (James T. Jr.) of Philadelphia;
grandchildren, Jakia, Destanee, Ronara, Jaylah, James T. III, Jerris D. Jr., and Javon; great-grandchildren, Brielle
and Jace; God-children, Wandrea Russo and Edmon Pinkney; brother, Carl C. Hughes, Sr. (Yvonne); in-laws,
Lemuel Kimbrough, Marthel Allen, Willie Kimbrough, Walter Kimbrough (Evelyn), Louise Mack, and Loraine
Kimbrough; very special longtime friends, Reverend Willis, Delores Kinard, Hubert and Thomasine Birch, and
Charles and Pat Garner; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, spiritual children, and extended family.
The funeral service for Jerris L. Hughes will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, August 13th, 2022 at Open Arms Community Church Jacksonville, FL. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234.
Jerris L. Hughes was born May 9, 1940, in Jacksonville, FL, to the late Brister and Gladys Johnson Hughes. Jerris was the youngest of four children, Carl C. Hughes, Sr., Rudolph Hughes (deceased), and Woodrow Hughes (deceased), and himself.
He was a longtime resident of Philadelphia, PA, before returning to Jacksonville, his birthplace, at the regal age
of 81, and shortly thereafter he peacefully transitioned to his eternal resting place in heaven.
Jerris was educated in the Duval County Public Schools, graduating from New Stanton High in 1958. He continued
his studies at Edward Waters College of Jacksonville and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL, graduating in 1964. Jerris also received his Master’s plus 30 from Cheyney University in Cheyney, PA.
Jerris was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1965, served in Vietnam for two years, and received an honorable discharge.
After his military service, Jerris fell in love and followed his heart, marrying Shirline Kimbrough on August 14,1966, and they migrated to Philadelphia, PA shortly thereafter. From this union, they were blessed with three bundles of joy. Jerris worked for the Camden School District and the School District of Philadelphia as a physical education teacher for over 35 years, retiring in 2005. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where he proudly served.
Jerris loved the Lord and accepted Christ as his personal Savior at a very young age, and was baptized by Reverend A.B. Coleman at Shiloh Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. As Jerris continued his Christian walk with the
Lord, he later joined New Light Beulah Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Taylor C. Killebrew, Philadelphia, PA. where he served in the male chorus. His continued hunger for God’s word led him and his
family to Philippian Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Samuel Amos Brackeen, where he was
ordained a Deacon. There, he was very active in various ministries, which included the combined choir, male
chorus, Sunday school, and vacation Bible school. Still hungering and thirsting for spiritual growth, he and
family united with the Greater Exodus Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Herbert H. Lusk
II. Along with the Deacon’s ministry, he was very active in Marriage Enrichment Ministry, male chorus, adult
choir, Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and summer camp “I’m Special.” Jerris and Shirline decided to live
out their retirement years, thus returning to Jacksonville, FL, in September 2021, and united with Open Arms
Community Church, under the pastorate of Bishop Leofric Thomas, Sr.
Jerris was a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan; he had many interests, which included shopping (he LOVED to dress),
traveling, fine dining, and spending time with family and friends. Jerris had a passion for helping others, and he
freely gave of his time to volunteer and mentor children.
In conjunction with the many roles he fulfilled, he was a devoted loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-
grandfather. Words cannot express his faithfulness in the caring for his wife after she suffered a stroke in 2017.
He was her caregiver, always at her side, and made sure she lacked for nothing. He truly honored his marriage
vows in sickness and in health.
Jerris touched and had an impact on so many lives and will be sorely missed. He leaves to cherish his memory:
a loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Shirline; children, Tara S. Hughes-Brumsey (Darryl) of Philadelphia;
twins, Jerris D. Hughes, Sr. (Stephanie), of VA and Jerelyn D. Hughes-Keith (James T. Jr.) of Philadelphia;
grandchildren, Jakia, Destanee, Ronara, Jaylah, James T. III, Jerris D. Jr., and Javon; great-grandchildren, Brielle
and Jace; God-children, Wandrea Russo and Edmon Pinkney; brother, Carl C. Hughes, Sr. (Yvonne); in-laws,
Lemuel Kimbrough, Marthel Allen, Willie Kimbrough, Walter Kimbrough (Evelyn), Louise Mack, and Loraine
Kimbrough; very special longtime friends, Reverend Willis, Delores Kinard, Hubert and Thomasine Birch, and
Charles and Pat Garner; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, spiritual children, and extended family.
The funeral service for Jerris L. Hughes will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, August 13th, 2022 at Open Arms Community Church Jacksonville, FL. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234.