Robert Hughes Sr. aka "Bobby" was born January 14, 1937, son of the late Leo and Carrie Lee Harris Hughes in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He attended the Winston Salem Forsyth County schools and was a graduate of Atkins High School. During his tenure at Atkins he played football and basketball .He played on three State Championship Basketball teams and was on the 1953 First State Championship Football Team.  During his tenure at Atkins he was also a boxer. In May 2008 "Bobby" was inducted into the Atkins Hall of Fame.

In 1955 Robert joined the US Navy serving as a Squad leader. While in the Navy he played football and was on the boxing team at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He was honorably discharged in December 1957

Robert was hired by the United States Postal Service in 1962 and was selected as a Supervisor of Delivery. In 1982 he was promoted to Superintendent of the Postal Service in Asheboro, NC serving as the first black postal official. He later attended Forsyth Technical Community College and Guilford Community College and completed the Management Development program while there. He also completed the Postal Supervision Course in Washington, DC and Memphis TN. Robert served as the OIC until his retirement in January 1992 and was given a private contract with the Postal Service through September 1998.

Spiritually, Mr. Hughes joined First Baptist Church in 1967 and was active on the board of Christian Education, Sunday School, finance Board, and also organized and coached the church basketball team. He was elected associate deacon in 1978 serving as one of the youngest deacons at First Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn H. Hughes, daughter, Sharon E. Hughes; siblings, Leo, William Joanna and Carolyn.

He departed this life Sunday June 4, 2023 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home following a period of illness.

Mr. Hughes is survived by his son Robert" Bobby Jr." Hughes Jr. of Columbia, SC,;  grandson, Tyler J. Hughes, of Charlotte, NC;  sister Gloria H.  Jeralds, of  Winston-Salem, NC; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 12:00 pm Wednesday June 14, 2023 at First Baptist Church Highland Avenue. The family will receive friends from 11am-12pm at the church. Interment will be held 10:00 am Thursday June 15, 2023 at the Salisbury National Cemetery.