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Derrick O’Neal Hughes
Derrick O’Neal Hughes of Southampton, known affectionately as “Poine,” died on July 10 at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. He was 40.
Born on October 23, 1971, to Theressa Hughes and Robert Gregory in Moyock, North Carolina, he came to New York when he was 6 years old. He attended Southampton public schools. It was then that the nickname “Poindexter”, because he wore glasses, was given to him by his uncle. Eventually, the nickname was shortened to Poine. Growing up, Mr. Hughes was most often seen with a basketball in his hands. He attended church and was a member of the Sunbeam and Youth Choir and the junior missionary group. He was baptized on March 30, 1986, at the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton by the Reverend Henry Faison.
A 1990 graduate of Southampton High School, he was an avid football and basketball player. According to survivors, when his mother would ask him what he wanted for dinner, his most frequent reply was, “Nothing, Ma, I’m going to play basketball,” to which she would respond, “How about a basketball for breakfast, lunch and dinner.” Mr. Hughes was just smile and say, “Word.”
He would also smile at the mere mention of the names of his two daughters, Leah Eleazer of Southampton and Ania Hughes of Sag Harbor, both of whom survive him.
In addition to his mother, father and daughters, Mr. Hughes is survived by his stepfather, Edward King of Southampton; grandmother, Doris Hughes of North Carolina; sisters, Rhonda King of Riverhead, Janice Dennis and Stacey Miller, both of Florida; a godmother, Dorothy Mercer; a godson, Derrick Highsmith; a niece, Tayah Coffey; and a nephew, Seven Smith. He is also survived by a special friend, Corrina Magee. He was predeceased by a sister, Shayla King.
The family received friends at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton on Friday and Saturday, July 13-14. A funeral was held on Saturday at the church, with the Reverend Frank Bryant officiating. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Jul 20, 2012