Clayton Tyrone Hughes, 63, native and lifelong resident of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center, Palatka. The son of Idus Hughes Sr. and Thelma Thomas Hughes, he was born on Monday, January 6, 1958. Clayton was educated in the Putnam County School District and a 1976 graduate of Palatka Central High School. He enrolled in the plumber's course at the St. Augustine Technical Center.  Clayton was an honorably discharged U.S. Army veteran serving from 1976 to 1981.  He was a former Georgia Pacific employee and worked as a farm laborer and landscaper for many years. Clayton was an avid sports fan, loved watching crime shows on TV and enjoyed gardening.  He truly loved his family and especially bragged on his grandchildren.

Clayton accepted Jesus at an early age and united with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Robert L. Wright.  God gifted Clayton with a melodious voice and as a child he sang in the youth choir.  Recently, Clayton rededicated his life to Christ. Clayton never met a stranger and always greeted people with a warm smile.

In addition to his father, Clayton was preceded in eternal rest by his brother, Idus Hughes, Jr.

He leaves a devoted family to cherish his memories: mother, Thelma T. Hughes; daughters, Lashawnda (Connell) Hughes-Facen, Daytona Beach; Taffy Hughes, Deland; son, Carvis Hughes, Jesup, GA; sisters, Deborah (Elmer) Jarmon, San Diego, CA; Carol Tripp, Palatka; Lori Hughes-Troutman, Jacksonville; Angela (Lorenzo) Wright, East Palatka; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

(Mandatory CDC guidelines for social distancing and masks required): Visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, August 6 at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 395 Alabama Avenue, Palatka. Homegoing Celebration with military honors will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 7 at Palatka High School, 302 Mellon Road, Palatka. Reverend Michael McKay, Pastor of Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, is the eulogist. Interment will be in Oak Hill East Cemetery.