Thomas Chesley Hughes

Mr. Thomas “Tom” Chesley Hughes, age 74, from Bell, FL, passed away on December 3, 2021, at his home. Tom was born on October 5, 1947, in Laurens, SC, to Ryland Chesley Hughes and Alice Wright Hughes. Growing up in South Carolina, he worked in the cotton fields as a young boy then at the age of 13, the family relocated to central Florida. After graduating high school, Tom went to work in the insulation industry. He worked for North Brothers, Inc. until his retirement. Retirement didn’t last long for Tom, he decided to go back to work in the insulation business and eventually retired from the Bayer Company. He was an outgoing person who loved to dance, work on old cars and tractors, and enjoyed going to the “Old Farts” Club on Wednesday’s. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tom is survived by his sons, Bryan Keith Hughes and Paul Israel Hughes both of Astatula, FL, Thomas Chesley Hughes, II of Sanford, FL, and Tony (Jennifer) Boles of Howey-In-The-Hills, FL; his grandchildren, Geir, Kayden, Holden, Bradley, Brittany, Haley, Hayden, and Chesley; his great-grandchildren, Whitley, Grayson “Turtle”, Jaxson, Lane, and Zelda; sisters, Shirley Knutson of Pine Hills, FL, Rosemary (Donald Farmer) Halladay of Tavarres, FL, Annette (Jay) Dorris of Zellwood, FL, and Patricia (Daniel) Smith of Umatilla, FL; and the love of his life and her family, Teresa Kay Beiling.
A funeral to honor Tom’s life will be held on Friday, December 10, at 12:00 pm at the Watson-Milton Funeral Home, Trenton, FL. The family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Tom will be laid to rest on Saturday, December 11, at 11:00 am at the Astatula Cemetery in Astatula, FL. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Watson-Milton Funeral Home. 352-463-8888. www.WatsonMilton.com