The story began of life for Rocky Ray Hughes Sr. began when he was born on September 27, 1978, to Ruby Pearl Perry and Donnie Ray Hughes in Arkadelphia at the Clark County Memorial Hospital. Rocky attended Christ Temple Holiness Church and was a longtime member. Throughout his life, Rocky confessed his belief in Christ, forgiveness, love for his brethren, and salvation.

Rocky was a 1996 graduate of Arkadelphia High School. He was very popular during school and loved by many in the community. He will always be remembered for always being creased down, smelling good, and constantly brushing his waves.

During his adult life, Rocky worked for various production plants and was a great handyman. He was a current employer of Ray White Lumber Company in Sparkman, where he loved his job and was dedicated to doing his job to the best of his ability.

Rocky was the proud father of 11 children whom he loved immensely. He was their biggest fan, cheerleader, and encourager. In his life Rocky expressed his love and appreciation for all his loved ones, stating “family is all I have, all the money in the world can’t buy family”. Family, as well as friends, will miss his strength, smile, and love, but will never forget his spirit. He loved the life he lived and lived the life he loved.

He passed from this life on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Charles Sue Thomas; his great-grandmother, Ruby Blackmon Hill; his great-aunt, Theadocia Walker; and Earnest Gray, who he loved as his dad.

Those left to forever cherish his love, sense of humor and laughter are his mother, Ruby Pearl Perry; his father, Donnie Ray Hughes; his children, Rocky Ray Jr., and his mother, Tasha; Kayliana Nicole, Rocsi Janae, Opal Maria, Eric Ray and their mother, Toccara; Raylon Monteia and his mother Fallon; Rocky Markell, Javion Markese, Jalik Ray and their mother Nakia; Deshawn Damone and his mother Tasha; Essence and her mother, Latoya; his brother, Christopher Earnest (Angela) Gray and their children, Chloe and Christopher Emile; his sisters, Faren Hughes and Brandy Hughes Fanning; his aunts, Annie Sue Perry, Rennell Hunter, Linda Gray Purifoy, and Maxine Smith; his uncles, Billy Ray Perry and Nicholas Perry; his significant other, Deltris K. Simpson; special cousins and friends, Robert Earl White Jr., Isaac Samuel Ray Perry, KeAuntae Lamar Gray, Alberto “Bud” Gates, and Tevin Smith. Rocky also leaves a host for nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and numerous friends.

Submitted by the Family

Visitation will be Friday, April 29, at Williams Funeral Home from 1-6 p.m. Services will be held graveside at Pleasant Hill Cemetery on Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Llewellyn E. Terry Sr. serving as eulogist.

His sons Rocky Ray, Eric Ray, Raylon Monteia, Rocky Markell, Kavion Markese, Jalik Ray, and Deshawn Damone will serve as pallbearers.