John Hughes was never married, and when he was taken ill, he began the process of writing his will and planning what was to be done with the wealth that he acquired. He wanted his money to go to the benefit of those less fortunate and in need. There are many stories as to how he came to this decision, but whatever the truth was, it was apparent that he had been touched by the children and especially the orphans. He purchased property in Pittsylvania County with the purpose of building an orphanage. In his will, he made provisions to set up a trust that was to build the orphanage on the property he acquired and to assist with the funding and operational expenses of running the facility. The self-sustaining facility known as Hughes Memorial Home was built and accepted its first residents in July, 1927. The Home operated successfully and was and still is "Home" to hundreds of children. In the early 1970's, the need for the orphanage had diminished to the point that other uses for the property were taken on. Still keeping in line with Mr. Hughes' wishes to be for the benefit of children, Hughes Memorial Home became a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected children from 12 to 18 years of age. The facility offered living facilities as well as a school for special educational needs of the children. Hughes Memorial Home operated successfully until 1999, when upon the retirement of the current Executive Director Angus McQueen, the Board of Directors choose to discontinue the residential treatment facility. The property that contained the buildings and program were then leased and later sold with the funds going back into the Foundation.