Bobby Lawrence Hughes

Friday, October 5, 1934 - Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Bobby Lawrence Hughes, a resident of Slocomb, AL passed away February 2, 2021 at his residence. He was 86 years old. 

 A private graveside service will be held for the family.

Lawrence was born in Geneva County, Alabama on October 5, 1934. He was the son of the late Burnice and Lorraine Purvis Hughes. He spent his life living and working in Slocomb, and he was a 1953 graduate of Slocomb High School. He married Shirley Lamb Hughes on May 24, 1963, and they lived 57 years in Slocomb. Lawrence worked his whole life continuing his family business of roofing. No one roofed a house better than he and his crew, and he insisted on perfection. His roofing services were known far and wide in the Wiregrass area, and he could patch a leak on a roof when no one else could get it right. Stories are told of him making his crew rip off an entire row of shingles because it wasn’t running straight. 

Besides being the best roofer in the area, Lawrence also had a special place in his heart for any animal. He rescued countless dogs, cats, a rooster, a fox, many birds, and could get every squirrel in the neighborhood to come running and eat pecans right out of his hands. One spring, a bird built a nest in the radiator of his tractor, and he refused to start it and disturb the nest. He lost a whole farming season because of this. His generosity also extended to many strangers through the years, as he always picked up hitchhikers and would make sure they had money when he dropped them off. 

Besides raising his three children, Jerry, Linda, and Jason, Lawrence and Shirley fostered many children. Their home was an open door, literally, as it was rarely locked, and many people came and went everyday, stopping by to eat or to say hello. He was well known in Geneva County, and many stories can be told of his shenanigans in his early years. Lawrence knew no stranger, and he loved to talk and reminisce about those years which always brought lots of laughter. He and his stories will truly be missed. 

Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Burnice and Lorraine Hughes and one brother, Jerry Clyde Hughes. Lawrence is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Lamb Hughes, three biological children, Jerry Hughes (Donna), Slocomb, Linda Hughes Coffman (John), Dothan, and Jason Hughes (Christie) Slocomb. He is also survived by several foster children, Kevin Hornsby (Heidi), Dothan, Ted Barnett (Tammy Helms) Slocomb, Dean Barnett (Jessica) Black, AL, and many more that stayed with the family through the years; three grandchildren, Trey Paul (Laura) Panama City, FL, Cooper Coffman, Scarlet Hughes; Anna and Austin Hornsby, Aaron and Dylon Barnett, Kaylee Boren (William) Slocomb, and Dalton Chavis.