Christopher Maddock Hughes

Winterville, GA - Christopher Maddock Hughes, age 77, of the Beaverdam community of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, passed away at home on April 18, 2011. Born to Alfred Lucas Hughes and Dorothy Kildare Vyvyan Hughes at Mossman in tropical northern Queensland, Australia, he was the youngest of three boys and three girls. Educated at The Southport School on Queensland's Gold Coast, a prestigious private school known for producing future professionals and business leaders, he started his work career as a jackeroo (ranch trainee), then managed cattle properties ranging from 13,000 to 80,000 acres running up to 5,000 head of cattle. From 1950 to 1969, Chris's daily life included riding cutting horses, buck-jumping, blacksmithing, attending to veterinary duties, butchering, and bookkeeping. He was handyman, cook, carpenter, firefighter and later on mechanic and farmer. His posture on horseback was stellar. Nothing ever seemed to scare him.
Chris's marriage to American-born Alice Hill led them to Georgia in 1969. He began a career in ready-mix concrete after a friend coaxed him into driving a front-end loader. His executive skills were to serve him well through the years as he worked his way through the ranks to plant manager.
Within a year after settling in Georgia, their daughter was born and given the name, Vyvyan Lorraine (her first name that of his mother's titled English family). Father and daughter shared a love of gardening. They both had fond memories of her riding on top of the veggie garden manure in the back of the pick-up truck, selling produce at her weekend vegetable stand, and tending the strawberry beds. Chris's love of flowers, particularly old-fashioned varieties and unusual colors, has been manifested in the prolific showcase gardens in every yard he worked.
Chris and his family lived first in the Decatur, Georgia, area (with a year's interlude in Hoboken, Georgia) then in Walnut Grove, Georgia, for thirty years before relocating four years ago to the Beaverdam community near Winterville, Georgia. He attended Cloud's Creek Baptist Church and considered Oglethorpe County the "best place I have ever lived in all my life."
A longtime curiosity about woodcarving led Chris to become a well-known carver; his work is in collections all over the world. His first carvings were birds, followed by horses and other animals, with hummingbirds topping the list in popularity. He carved Noah's Arks, Nativity sets, and barnyards as special orders, but Chris's favorite pieces were his rodeo figures. His young apprentice, Noah Green, continues their shared love of woodworking.
In his younger years, he built a camper and designated autumn as the time to explore the United States. The large sandbox, built for his daughter, was the envy of the neighborhood children. He loved being at home, as long as he could wander his land and spend time reading. Chris had strong opinions and his photographic memory amazed many, facts and history always ready. He could fix anything, didn't worry about the little things, and ate those gushy chocolates in the sampler box.
Chris is survived by his wife Alice of Oglethorpe County, Georgia, and his daughter Vyvyan of Atlanta, Georgia. His two sisters, Rosemary Hughes and Katherine Hughes Davidson (James), and one brother, Philip Hughes (Palma), along with nieces and nephews and their families all live in Australia. He was predeceased by one sister, Norah Vyvyan Hughes Shannon, and one brother, Charles Hughes.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 1:00 pm C.S.T. at Forrest Cemetery, Gadsden, Alabama, with Dr. Duane Embry of Monroe, Georgia, officiating. Vyvyan Hughes will offer a prayer composed by her father's first cousin, the Rev. David Vyvyan Cossar of Kent, England.
Please consider making a memorial donation to Cloud's Creek Baptist Church (PO Box 604, Crawford, Georgia 30630) to be applied to the marquee sign fund.
Lord and Stephens, EAST, is in charge of arrangements.