Flora Mae Huddleston

Our beloved Flora Huddleston was born on July 7, 1948 in Nashville, Tennessee. On Thursday, September 4, 2025, she closed her eyes here on earth and opened them in the presence of The Lord. We are thankful that she is at eternal rest and basking in the light of her Savior.

Flora lived a life of faith, family, and service. Only a glimpse of her life can be written on paper but God has the full story. Here is a glimpse of her story….

Her Faith: Flora professed her hope in Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. W. W. Claybrooks where she continued serving in many ministries (choir, deaconess, drama and mime ministry) until her health declined. She held the office of pastoral leadership in the highest regard and treasured her close relationships with the esteemed former pastors and first ladies of Mount Hopewell MBC: Rev. Dr. Lester Cousin; the late Rev. John D. Mobley; Rev. Dr. Theodore H. Bryson; and Rev. Dr. Marvin T. Smith.

A Daughter: Born to parents who were preceded in death, Emma Mae Marshall and Tommy Lee Marshall, Sr.

A Sister: Flora was the third child born to Tommy Lee, Sr. and Emma Mae Marshall. She loved her family and they had many memorable experiences together. Sandra Marshall Blackmon,Vickie (Robert) Blackmon, preceded in death by sister Annie Irene Marshall, brothers Tommy Lee Marshall, Jr., Ronald E. Marshall, and Phil Marshall and bonus sister, Tommie Mae Merritt.

A Wife: She married the love of her life, James Dale Huddleston on June 18, 1965. For 60 years, their union has been a great example to their family and friends. James took care of Flora when she was well and active down to when she was unable to walk or talk. He honored his vows wholeheartedly in sickness and in health to til' death do us part.

A Mother: God blessed her with three children, Katherine (Carlos) Greene, Nicole Huddleston, and Karen Huddleston Rowe.

A Grandmother: She adored and loved spoiling her five grandchildren, NaTeshia Huddleston, LaTeshia Huddleston, KaRecka Huddleston, Cameron Greene and Christian Isaac Greene.

A Great Grandmother: She was beyond joyful to be a great grandmother of five to Makel Huddleston, Makai Huddleston, Jacobi Huddleston, Jacori Huddleston, Kamora Pompey.

Family: She is survived by a host of other relatives (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins) with a strong connection to her cousin Patricia Lowe.

Her Education: She was educated in the Metro public school system in Nashville, TN.

Her Work Life and Employment: She retired from Aladdin Temp-Right in 2011 after many years of dedicated service. She cherished her work friends throughout her life: Virginia Martin, Johnnie Wilson, and Evelyn Jones-Ballard; and she is reunited in spirit with her dear friends who preceded her in death, Juanita Jones, Nelson Stallsworth, and John Richardson. Flora was a hard worker throughout her life. Early on, she worked as a shampoo stylist at Castner Knott, a production worker at May Hosiery Mill, and even served as a catalog model for a local agency. She held several other jobs before finding her place at Aladdin Industries, where she worked for 37 years before she eventually retired.

A Servant of the Lord: Flora was a devoted servant leader of the Lord at Mt. Hopewell MBC where she served the mother's board and choir member before she took ill. She also served as the second President of the Daughters of Zion, District President of the Women's Intermediate Auxiliary (WIA), and State President of WIA, attending numerous national Baptist conventions and conferences over the years. She loved serving.

Her ministry work included serving in the choir, the Mother's Board, drama ministry, and mime. She was especially known for singing beloved songs such as I'm On the Battlefield for the Lord, I Love to Praise Him, That's Enough, I Feel a Change in My Life, and her most requested selection, Wake Up in Glory, which will forever remain in our hearts.

Flora also showcased her love for acting through her role as Ms. Pharisees, who lived on Big Shot Street, in the play Bearing the Cross and Mt. Hopewell debuted as Miss Jane Pittman. She added to resume of acting the Momma in the Last Momma on the Couch scene and opening several church productions as "Flo-Oprah"! Later in life, she cherished dressing in white and serving faithfully as a deaconess in her beloved church.

Devoted Friend(s): Flora shared a special bond with Vera L. Finney, her dearest friend and travel companion to many church events. She is also remembered by close friends who became like family, including Elnora Terry, Ronald Edwards, Dr. Ramona Sawyers-Douglas, and Lula Watts, who preceded her in death.

Those left behind to cherish her life are: her loving Husband, James Huddleston; Daughters: Katherine (Carlos) Greene, Nicole Huddleston, Karen Rowe, Grandchildren: NaTeshia Huddleston, LaTeshia Huddleston, Karecka Huddleston, Cameron Greene, and Isaac Greene; Great Grandchildren: Makai Huddleston, Makel Huddleston, Jacobi Huddleston, Jacori Huddleston, and Kamora Pompey; Sisters: Sandra Blackmon, Vickie (Robert Jr.) Blackmon; Aunts: Lillie Harber and Irene Smith; Special cousin Patricia Lowe; Godchild, LaQuinta Watts; and many other children who loved spending time at her home and often would call her momma.

Hosts of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and her beloved Mt. Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church family.