ROCKY HEAD COMMUNITY…Mr. O’Neal Hughes, a resident of Rocky Head Community, near Ariton, died Thursday afternoon, June 4, 2026, in a Dothan hospital. He was 86.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, June 8, 2026, in the Pleasant Ridge Community Church with Pastor Anita Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Monday at the church.
Mr. Hughes, the son of the late O.V. Hughes and Gertrude Ellis Hughes, was a proud native and lifelong resident of the Rocky Head Community near Ariton. He spent his whole life in the place he loved, surrounded by the people and the land that shaped him. After many years of hard work, he retired from the Golden Peanut Company in Ozark, where he was known for his steady hands, strong work ethic, and willingness to help anyone who needed it.
What truly brought him joy, though, was time spent with his family—especially his grandchildren, who were the light of his life. Whether he was out fishing on a quiet morning, walking through the woods during hunting season, or simply sitting and talking with the people he loved, he found happiness in the simple things. He had a gentle way about him and a down‑to‑earth spirit that made others feel at ease.
Mr. Hughes was a faithful member of Pleasant Ridge Community Church, where he found comfort, fellowship, and a sense of belonging. His life was rooted in kindness, humility, and a deep appreciation for the blessings around him.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Daniel C. Hughes. Those who knew him will remember his steady presence, his quiet strength, and the love he carried for his family and community. His memory will live on in the stories shared, the lessons passed down, and the hearts of all who loved him.
Surviving relatives include his wife of fifty-seven years, Maxine Adkinson Hughes, Ariton; two sons, Billy O’Neal Hughes (Christi), Elamville and Christopher John Hughes (Jacqueline), Rocky Head; two brothers, Howard Hughes (Janet), Enterprise and Garrett Hughes, Rocky Head Community; three grandchildren, Cheyenne Hughes Brownfield (Tyler), Mason Hughes, and Chase Hughes; three great-grandchildren, Asher Brownfield, Isla Brownfield, and Elaina Brownfield; nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Billy Hughes, Mason Hughes, Chase Hughes, Tyler Brownfield, Dennis Ezell, and Kenny Baker.
You may sign a guest register at www.fuquabankston.com
