George Beesley Huddleston, Sr.

George Beesley Huddleston, Sr. died peacefully on May 17, 2013. He was born in Murfreesboro, TN on January 16, 1933. He was the son of the late Thomas Lafayette and Lillian Beesley Huddleston. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Thomas L. Huddleston, Jr. of Shreveport, LA. He is survived by his wife Mary Keeble ?Kib? Harrison Huddleston; two sons: George Beesley Huddleston, Jr. and his wife Tracey, and Henry Alexander Huddleston and his wife Chris, all of Murfreesboro; two daughters: Mary Huddleston Earthman and her husband John of Nashville and Dr. Elizabeth Nelson Huddleston of Asheville, NC; and six grandchildren: George Beesley Huddleston III and his wife Liana, Anna Kathryn Huddleston, Henry Alexander Huddleston, Jr., Christopher Clayton Huddleston, Robert Reid Huddleston, and Anne Keeble Earthman.

Mr. Huddleston graduated from The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN in 1950 and Vanderbilt University in 1954 where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After graduation, he worked for Phillips? 66 Oil Company in Atlanta, GA. In 1955 he came back to Murfreesboro to organize Huddleston Oil Co. with his father, where he worked until his death.

Mr. Huddleston devoted many years of his life to children. He taught Sunday School at First United Methodist Church for over twenty years, co-founded and coached both Jr. Pro football and boys and girls basketball in Murfreesboro, and was Scout Master for a Cub Scout troop for five years. He and Mrs. Huddleston were president of the Mitchell-Neilson Parent-Teacher Organization at one time.

Mr. Huddleston was a loyal alumnus of The Webb School. In 1973 he was asked to serve on its Board of Trustees and shortly afterwards on the Executive Committee. In the late 80?s he was Chair of the Steering Committee of the $10 Million Capital Campaign for Webb?s endowment and campus improvements.

He was passionate about and always active in First United Methodist Church, having served on many committees, including the Building Committee and Trustees, and was a past Chairman of the Administrative Board. He gave the pipe organ and the pulpit Bible in memory of his parents and the hand-bells in memory of his aunt, Mary Lou Beesley.

Mr. Huddleston was devoted to his community. He served on the Board of Directors of Mid-South Bank and Trust which later became Third National and now SunTrust. He was founder and president of the Community Counseling Center. He has been a member of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club for many years and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Belle Meade Country Club and a life member of Cheekwood.

He enjoyed making candy for his friends, doctors and nurses on special occasions. In the summer he was always generous with the roses and tomatoes he grew and gave them to anyone who wanted them.

Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, on Monday, May 20, 2013 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm and then again on Tuesday, from 9:00am until the time of Funeral services, which begin at 11:00 am with Rev. Michael O'Bannon officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Karl VanDevender, Dr. Bill Ewers, and Dr. Duke Herrell for their excellent care and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 or The Webb School, Bell Buckle, TN 37020.

Online condolences may be made at www.woodfinchapel.com