Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com James Ernest Hughes, age 79, of Jasper, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Heritage Hospice in Marietta. He was born March 11, 1946 to Paul and Rosie Hughes in Blue Ridge, Georgia. He proudly served in the United States Army. Ernest is survived by his wife, Wanda Hughes of Jasper; daughter and son-in-law, Rebekah and Kevin Helton of Ellijay; grandchildren, Hayden and Ryan Carmean of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Adeline Parker of Ellijay; great-grandchildren, Blake Carmean of Gulf Shores, Alabama; sister, Imogene Hughes of Ellijay, Louise Beasley of Ellijay, Nancy Craig of Ellijay; brothers, Ray and Jackie Hughes of Jasper, and Larry Hughes of Ball Ground. Many nieces, nephews and other family members also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Rosie Hughes; brothers, Junior Hughes, Randall Hughes, and Carlton Hughes. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral Home, Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 17, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.