Paul Ackiss Hughes, 95, entered into eternal rest Monday, Dec. 2, 2019. He was born Nov. 15, 1924, in the Linkhorn Bay section of Virginia Beach to the late George and Josephine Hughes.
At the age of 19, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, came home and became a member of the first and only African-American volunteer fire department in Seatack in 1948 and then went on the become the first Federal African-American Firefighter at Naval Air Station Oceana. Mr. Hughes was also one of the pioneers to sign papers to desegregate Virginia Beach schools.
Paul was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Mason Lodge No. 90 and the American Legion Post No. 81. He was an auto mechanic and loved fixing cars and gardening.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie; brother, George; and sister, Margaret.
Paul leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Kimberly Davis (Chris); four grandchildren, Acire Caradine, Christina Simonoski (Leon) and Princess Davis, Kima Davis; three great-grandchildren, Aleiah, Garin and Sapphire; sister, Susie Hughes; brother, James Hughes (Doretha); sister-in-law, Beatrice Smith; goddaughter, Robin Clarke (Ed); special friends, Margaret Barcliff and Sidney Cornick; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Special thanks to Davita Independence Dialysis.
Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, at Beach Funeral & Cremation Services, 4456 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach. A celebration of life service will be held at noon, Saturday, Dec. 7, at St. Stephens COGIC, 189 S. Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach. Interment will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, in Roosevelt Memorial Park, 1101 Campostella Road, Chesapeake.
Share online condolences with the family at Beach Funeral & Cremation Services.
