Marcia Deshon Huth

Marcia Deshon "Missy" Huth died peacefully in her home in Milton, Florida, on the morning of November 21, 2025.

Born June 9, 1946, in Natchez, Mississippi, Missy grew up in California and Mississippi. Her lifelong love of learning began at St. Joseph High School in Jackson, and she earned her bachelor's degree from St. Mary's Dominican College in New Orleans. In addition to raising four children, she was a favorite English teacher and sponsor of the student newspaper at St. Joseph High School for several years before deciding to return to school to achieve her goal of becoming Dr. Huth. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching along the way to earning her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

She was an avid fan of UNC basketball (Go Heels!) and Notre Dame football, often waking her children on gamedays by singing the Notre Dame Victory March. She enjoyed all kinds of music, from classical to the Stones to Sweet Baby James Taylor, and in a shocking turn even came around to appreciating the Beatles. She loved to dance; she spent many weekends contra dancing with friends during her years in North Carolina. She was a fantastic cook and often shared good food and wine with family and friends. She traveled throughout Europe with two and then three young children in tow; she traveled to China as a visiting scholar; and she put more than 340,000 miles on her trusted Honda Civic, crossing the United States five times east-to-west and more times than can be counted north-to-south, visiting friends and family along the way. Her collection of national parks stamps would rival that on any bucket list.

And she had many names –

Missy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Ella Hodges Huth; and her beloved nephew, Nicholas Huth, and grandnephew, Triston Hilburn. She leaves behind her dear brothers George Huth (Rita) and Robert "Bobby" Huth (Janet), and cherished friends from throughout her life.

Marcia leaves behind friends and colleagues from her doctoral program and from the Hawbridge School, a charter school located in a restored mill alongside the Haw River in Saxapahaw, North Carolina. Dr. Huth instituted a revolutionary curriculum there, focused on interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and stewardship of both students and the environment. She believed that charter schools serve best as labs for thoughtfulness, innovation, and creativity that could be transferred to traditional public schools.

Aunt Mississippi leaves behind her nieces, Kristi Johnson and Marianna Huth; and her nephews, Jonathan Huth, George "Buster" Huth, Ryan Huth, and Jarrod Huth, along with their families.

GranMiss leaves behind her grandchildren: Hodges Boland, Ella Thompson, Hayes Boland, Luke Thompson, and Lucy Boland.

And finally, Mom leaves behind her daughter, Mary Kathleen "Molly" Boland Thompson; and her three sons: Michael Boland, Jr. (Nikki), Jonathan Boland, and Daniel Boland.

A mass in her name will be held at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola, Florida, at noon, on Monday, January 5, followed by a celebration in her home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of her favorite arts organizations: the LA Philharmonic, the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, or a local museum or arts organization of your choice.

She will be missed. And she would want you to go to therapy.