Grace Jemison Rohrer-Huff

ROHRER-HUFF BOONE, NC - Grace Jemison Rohrer-Huff June 14, 1924 - Oct. 13, 2011 Grace Jemison Rohrer-Huff, 87, of Rogers Street, Boone, died Wednesday October 13, 2011, at her residence. Born June 14, 1924 in Chicago, IL, she was a daughter of the late Howard A. and Caroline Elmore Bishop Jemison. She attended high school in Cranford, New Jersey, Western Mary College (where she received her BA in 1946), and Wake Forest University (where she received her MA in 1969). Some years after her marriage to Robert H. Rohrer, she moved with her family to Winston-Salem, as did her father and his family. There she pursued her career as an elementary school educator, helping to found the MacWood School (for children with learning disabilities) and the Centenary Child Center, and serving as president and executive director of Learning Foundation (a regional tutoring service). Active in the Republican Party politics, Mrs. Rohrer served her party from 1960 to 1974 in various capacities at various levels from precinct to county to state executive committee. After an unsuccessful campaigning for election to the office of Secretary of State in 1972, Mrs. Rohrer was appointed to a four-year term as Secretary of the Department of Cultural resources in 1973. Concurrently she served on the board of Friends of University Network Television (FOUNT), 1975-1976, as program chairman of North Carolina's International Women's Year Coordinating Committee, and as chairman of the state's delegation to the National Women's Conference at Houston in November, 1977. Naturally, she supported the proposed "Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States". Subsequently Mrs. Rohrer was appointed Secretary of the Department of Administration, serving from 1985 to 1987. As a policy advisor to Governor James G. Martin, she served in his "Cabinet Clusters." This group was made up of trusted appointees whose duty it was to develop biennial initiatives in designated areas for the governor (Education, economic development, environment, and so forth) by discussing issues and proposing policy options for the governor's consideration. She also served on Women's Forum of NC: Past Presidents 1978-79 and as Director, Humanities, Appalachian State University from 1988 to 1994. Later in life, she married Don Huff, becoming Grace Rohrer-Huff and residing in Kennebunk, ME until his death. Surviving are two sons, R. Bruce Rohrer of Boone and Donald E. Rohrer and wife, Ellen, of Dunnellon, Florida; one brother, Edward T. Jemison of Deep Gap; and three grandchildren, Zack, and Chris Rohrer and Marya Millard. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Huff, one son, David Allen Rohrer, and one brother, Howard Jemison. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, October 22, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Boone, officiated by Rev. Cindy Banks. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospitality House, PO Box 309, Boone, NC 28607 or to a charity of donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent to the website of austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Rohrer-Huff family.