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 Mary Garrison Huff of Earlysville entered eternity with our Lord on Friday, January 15, 2016, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born on July 13, 1939, in Charlottesville, Virginia, to the late Hugh C. Sr. and the late Lettie W. Garrison.
She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Joseph Dennis Huff Sr.; and four children, Cheryl and her husband, Paul Wilkinson and their children, Kate and Rachel; Joseph D. Huff Jr. and his wife, Nickie, and their three children, Brody, Michael, and Riley; William R. Huff and his wife, Ilana, and his three children, Britney, Shelby, and Clayton; and Julia, and her husband, Edgar Green, and their children, Erin and her husband, Kotie Johnson, Erika, Emily, and Elisha, and great-granddaughter, Jayda Johnson. She is also survived by a brother, Hugh C. Garrison Jr. and his wife, Laura; and sister, Janice G. Baughn and her husband, Gary.
She was a life-long member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church of Earlysville where she taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school and many other activities. She was always involved in her children's activities. She loved to watch her children's and grandchildren's sports, music and dance performances. She retired from the Albemarle County School system after 20 years of service. She loved her husband, children, and grandchildren and great-grandchild. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed cooking for her family and having them visit. Everyone was always welcome at the Huff home.
Special thanks to the Hope Center nurses and staff for their many years of care during her cancer battle. Thanks also to Hospice of the Piedmont for their support so that she could be at home during her last days surrounded by her family.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 17, 2016, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Hill and Wood Funeral Home. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2016, at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church with interment to follow at Holly Memorial Gardens.
Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Eden Ministries Building Fund, 1827 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, VA 22901.Friends may send condolences to her family at www.hillandwood.com.
Submitted by Sam Clarke.
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Charles "Connie" Crenshaw (1958)
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MARY GARRISON HUFFOn this day, January 18, 2016 family and friends celebrate the life of Mary Garrison Huff. A Memorial Service is being held at Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Earlysville Virginia. It is a cold January day. The sun is shinning with clear blue skies. The view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is different this morning as there is some white from the dusting of snow from the evening before. The wind blows cold.
Chestnut Grove was an important part in Mary's life. She was a life long member, she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and participated in many church activities. Mary graduated from Albemarle High School in 1956. Hill and Wood Funeral Home arrived about 10:00 and made sure seats were reserved for family in the Church Sanctuary and everything was in place. People began to arrive at 10:20. Hill and Wood was outside directing people to parking places and making sure they were in a good position if they were going to the Internment at Holly Memorial Gardens. Chestnut Grove First Impressions Team members were at each entrance opening doors, greeting and handing out the Memorial Service program. The family gathered in one of the Sunday School rooms in the hallway. Laura Vinzant was playing many of the old favorite hymns on the piano which brought back memories of yesteryear.
It is time, the family entered the Sanctuary and took their seats. Chestnut Grove is very familiar to many of the Huff family. Many of them were brought up in this church and many continue to attend. There was prayer and singing the old favorites How Great Thou Art, In the Garden and Amazing Grace. The Obituary was read and Pastor Green shared his words. Some call the Memorial Service a Celebration of Life and it should be, but we find it difficult to be in a celebrating mood. We think of the memories when the love one was with us and how good it would be to say, I love you, one more time. We thank God for the life of Mary Garrison Huff.
Many braved the cold and the wind and attended the internment at Holly Memorial Gardens. Following was a lunch in the Chestnut Grove Upper Room. People had prepared dishes and brought them to the church. Larry Bailey and some church volunteers had made the room ready with serving tables and eating tables. A volunteer crew worked in the kitchen to have the food and drink ready to be enjoyed by all. Someone prepared photo displays full of family memories of years gone by.
Sharing some memories - Dennis sat beside me on the school bus. Dennis was a senior at Broadus Wood High School and I was in the third grade. On many occasions he gave me a piece of candy. Candy was not available to me in those years so it was a real treat. Dennis and my Aunt Ada Marie Crenshaw graduated together from Broadus Wood High School in 1949 along with eleven others. The years passed by and I saw Dennis from time to time when we moved back to the Earlysville area on Markwood Road. I saw Dennis and Mary at our children's baseball games at the Northside Little League. I am so thankful I got to see and talk with Dennis and Mary at Chestnut Grove at this past years Children's Christmas Play. Both were smiling and happy to be there. It reminds me, we never know when we will see someone here on earth for the last time.
Charles "Connie" Crenshaw