Margaret Athaleen Huffman

Margaret Athaleen Huffman, 89, formerly of Mullens, passed away Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the Raleigh Center. Born July 13, 1924 at Mt. Lookout, she was the daughter of the late Caleb Cherrington and Dora Chapman.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Leon Huffman in 1982; an infant son, Billy; brothers, Jake and John Chapman; son-in-law, Jimmy Rinehart; and numerous half siblings.

No one was ever as well loved as our precious mother, grandmother, and sister. She never met a stranger and treated everyone as if they were part of her own family. She loved Mullens and her church family at the Mullens Pentecostal Holiness Church, especially Pastor Lewis Arnold and his wife, Alice and a very special friend, Winnie Linkous. She loved the Lord and taught her family by example to follow Him.

Athaleen is survived by her six daughters, Mickie Grindstaff and husband, Doug, of Beaver, their children, Douglas of Portland, OR, Kelli Mann and husband, Chad of Daniels, Barbara Kiser and husband, Eugene of Mullens, their children, Andrea Trantham and husband, Steve of Hendersonville, NC, Stephanie Clark and husband, Chris of Mullens, Donna Mitchell of Beckley, her children, Heather Johnson and husband, Michael of Pineville, Brandon Mitchell and wife, Lisa of Mullens, Tina Chandler and husband, Larry of Church Hill, MD, their children, Monica Short of Church Hill, Kathy Hedden and husband, Robert of Trussville, AL., Leslie Wing, and husband, Steve of Baltimore, MD, Laura Phelps and husband, Jeff of Leoma, TN., Mary Jo Rinehart of Beckley, her children, Jessica Osborne and Jeremy Hall of Sophia, Jennifer Myers and husband, Heath of Beckley, Sue Weston and husband, Jack of Hendersonville, NC, their children, Nick of Hendersonville, Matt Weston and Shannon Roberts of Wellford, SC., her brother, Carl Chapman and his wife, Connie of Cleveland, OH, sisters-in-law, Sylvia Jean Perkins, of Daniels and Elaine Huffman of Muncie, IN, twenty-one great grandchildren, one great- great grandchild and another due in September. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Affectionately known as “Mamaw” to her grandchildren and all the neighborhood children, they would all want to visit when she served her delicious mashed potatoes. Mother always had a bag packed and was ready to go wherever and whenever anyone called.

She had a soft heart for everyone and loved helping others, but her greatest desire in life was to always be with her children and grandchildren making memories.

Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, June 8, 2014 at Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley with Pastor Lewis Arnold officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Grandsons will be serving as pallbearers.

Visitation with the family will be from 12:00PM until time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Athaleen’s great granddaughter Hannah Trantham’s Fundraiser, Hannah’s Hope For Shriners, make checks payable to Community Foundations of Henderson County with Hannah’s Hope for Shriners’ in the memo section. Mail to Community Foundation of Henderson County, 401 N. Main Street#300, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences and other information can be found by visiting www.blueridgefuneralhome.com

Blue Ridge Funeral Home, 5251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley is in charge of the arrangements.