Irene Huggins

FRANKLIN - Irene Stevenson Huggins, 88, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Irene was born Sept. 1, 1935, to Grayborn and Grace Stevenson. She grew up in Bryson City and graduated from Swain County High School and Blanton Business College. She worked as a legal secretary in Bryson City. In 1959, she married D.L. Huggins. They lived in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, New Mexico and Arkansas while he worked for the National Park Service. Irene stayed home to raise their boys but later worked for the Gillett, Arkansas, Public Schools for 27 years. After retiring, she and D.L. returned to North Carolina to live.
Irene loved cooking, baking and serving others. She was well-known for her sourdough rolls and chocolate chip cookies. She worked with D.L. in his garden and would can and freeze the vegetables they grew. She also helped with his beekeeping. Her favorite thing was spending time with her family. Being a mother and "GranGran" brought her the greatest joy. Irene was a member of Burningtown Baptist Church.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, D.L., and brothers James, Raymond, Earl and Mack.
She is survived by her sons, Darwin (Robin) Huggins of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Joe (Kim) Huggins of Benton, Arkansas; sister, Inez Davis; brothers, Charles Stephenson of Bryson City and Carroll Dean (Diane) Stephenson of Franklin; sisters-in-law, Linda Stephenson of Bryson City, Virginia Huggins and Joyce Kinsland of Franklin; grandchildren, Drew (Mary Kathryn) Huggins, Grace Huggins, Laura (Cameron) Magee, Bradley (Morgan) Huggins and Ben Huggins; great-grandchildren, Brooks and Aiden Huggins, Jack and Luke Magee and Harris and Hattie Huggins; and many nieces, nephews and their families, whom she loved dearly.
Her spirit was ready, but our hearts were not. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 13, in the chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Burningtown Baptist Cemetery Fund, 279 Edwards Road, Franklin, NC 28734 or to the National Park Foundation at give.nationalparks.org by making a Tribute Gift and selecting either "send an e-card" to kimhuggins1@gmail.com or "mail a card" to Joe Huggins, 2719 Mountvista Dr., Benton, AR 72019.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.