Harold Hasbrouck Hughes, 1903-1992

The year 1913 was a good one for the Virginia Annual Conference. That was the year that Sidney Albert Hughes and Mary Belle Hasbrouck Hughes moved with their family to Richmond, Virginia, from Kingston, New York. Little Harold, the sixth and last child of the family, thus became destined, in later years, to become an outstanding leader and giant of the Virginia conference and not the New York conference.

Harold Hasbrouck Hughes was born in Kingston on Octobcr 12, 1903. The family moved to Richmond in 1913, because of the failing health of his father. Both parents died in 1916, and the children were separated in several directions to live with relatives. Harold stayed in Richmond, where he lived with Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Adkins, his aunt and uncle. He attended the public schools, graduating from John Marshall High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon College, which school later honored him with a Doctor of Divinity degree. He received a B.D. degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond.

It was while at Union that he married an attractive young neighbor, Mildred Virginia Powers, beginning a companionship and partnership that lasted for 44 years and ended at Mildred's death on June 23,1972. They served God together and made their mark on Methodism in the Virginia conference, the Southeastern Jurisdiction and the church at large.

Dr. Hughes, for that is what I called him until we served together in the bishop's Cabinet in 1965 (then he became "Harold"), had a distinguished ministry in churches around the conference. The list includes: Petersburg, Blandford, Waverly, Richmond Asbury and Broad Street, Fredericksburg, Monumental, Danville Mt. Vernon, Arlington and Annandale. He served as district superintendent of four districts: Roanoke, Portsmouth, Arlington, and Richmond, where he retired in June of 1976. His devotion to God, his active, alert mind, and his interest in people led countless thousands of his fellow Methodists, both lay and clergy, to a closer walk with God. He lived what he preached and was an inspiration to all who knew him. His keen wit was a trademark, which brought pleasure to many. Another trademark was the green ink with which he wrote his notes and cards. And who will forget his penetrating question with which he would greet you, "Are you doing any good for the Lord?"

He served the conference and church with distinction. One of his emphases was missions. Among his places of service were: president, Board of Missions; conference missionary secretary and member of the General Board of Missions. Another interest was history. He served as president of the Virginia Historical Association. He was a trustee of Randolph-Macon College and Ferrum College. He was elected as a delegate to seven General Conferences and nine Jurisdictional Conferences.

In retirement, from 1976 until 1986, he lived next door to his daughter and her family. In 1986, he moved to the Hermitage in Northern Virginia in Alexandria, where he died on October 8, 1992. He is survived by his son, Bishop H. Hasbrouck Hughes, Jr.; his daughter, Kathryn Fay Hughes Stockton; their spouses, who were like a daughter and son, Mera and "Chuck," six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A final tribute to this Soldier of the Cross was held on October 12, 1992, in Annandale United Methodist Church. Dr. Wasena F. Wright, Jr., pastor; Dr. F. Douglas Dillard, Jr., district superintendent; and Dr. George S. Lightner, friend, participated. Interment was on the same afternoon in the family plot in Maury Cemetery, Richmond, with Dr. Lightner and Dr. Eugene R. Woolridge, Jr., presiding.

Dr. Harold Hughes has preached his last sermon and presided over his last charge conference, but his memory and influence will continue forever.

 

-Harry B. Eaton