Dorothy Grace Huggs

Dorothy Huggs, 97, of Wills Point, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025. Born on May 27, 1928, in Wills Point, she was the cherished daughter of Ernest and Nora Cox.

Dorothy grew up joyfully as a farmer’s daughter, grounded in strong family values and a deep faith in Christ. Her parents made significant sacrifices to send both their daughters to college—an opportunity she deeply treasured. She graduated from Wills Point High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from East Texas State Teachers College.

Although she was a certified teacher and taught for a few years, Dorothy’s most fulfilling role was that of a homemaker. Her vivacious personality, quick laughter, and fierce love for her family left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She was saved at an outdoor revival as a teenager and lived a life that radiated Christ’s love, always welcoming and helping others—especially her children’s friends, neighbors, and church family. She was a long time member of her beloved church, Shady Grove Baptist Church. 

Dorothy had a passion for reading, especially mysteries and the Bible, often staying up late into the night with a book in hand. In her later years, she enjoyed watching crime dramas on television. A talented seamstress, she lovingly made clothes for her family and took great pride in her craftsmanship. One of her proudest and most humorous moments came when she bent a hammer at age 60 while trying to pull out a stubborn nail—an event her family remembers fondly.

She also often recalled the famous 1938 Orson Welles broadcast of War of the Worlds, and how she tried to convince her mother it wasn’t real—while her father and sister played along and teased her mom that it was.

Above all, Dorothy was most proud of her family. She is survived by her daughter Patty Huggs Smith and husband Lewis, and her son Mike Huggs and wife Nancy. She leaves behind three granddaughters: Rachel Grantham and husband Shawn, Rebecca Smith Reyes and husband Joseph, and Leila Huggs Buffington and husband Luke. She is also survived by her nephew Kurt Simmons and wife Jean.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Harry Huggs; her sister, Mary Elizabeth Cox Simmons; her mother, Nora Grace Buice Cox; and her father, Ernest Cox.

Dorothy Huggs lived a long and beautiful life marked by faith, kindness, humor, and devotion to family. She will be dearly missed and forever cherished by those who knew and loved her.