Gene Herbert Huffman

Gene Herbert Huffman, 79, of Morganton, departed this world on Friday, January 21, 2011 after a short period of declining health to reside everlasting with his heavenly Father. Born July 28, 1931 in Burke County, he was the son of the late John Mackie Huffman and Catherine Keller Huffman. In addition to his parents, Mr. Huffman was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances Wellman Huffman; three brothers, Claude, Sam and Horace Huffman; and four sisters, Brintie Mulinax, Ellen Eichenbrenner, Gladys Moore, and Essie King.He is survived by his wife of five years, Barbara Wells Huffman of the home; a brother, Paul Huffman and wife, Doris of Hickory: sister, Lottie Huffman Swink and husband, Elbert of Morganton; sons, David Mark Huffman and wife, Linda; Gene (Mackie) Huffman and wife, Janice all of Morganton; daughters, Ramona (Jeanne) Huffman Whisnant, of Morganton and Pamela Huffman Nowell and husband, Mike of Castle Hayne, NC. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jada Swartz and husband, Richard, Joshua Craig, Anthony Craig and wife Sara, David Huffman and wife, Diedra, Dustin Huffman and wife, Jessica, Katie Huffman, Brian Rader, Whitney Kanupp and husband, Lynn, and Logan Huffman; nine great grandchildren; three step-children, Danny Greer and wife, Betty, Rose Anna Rutledge, and Kimberly Harvey; six step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.Mr. Huffman served as a deacon at Walker’s Chapel Baptist Church for over 30 years. He served his community as a County Commissioner, a member of the Board of Elections, as chairman of the Burke Soil and Water Conservation Committee, a board member of the Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation, and as a Burke County Deputy Sheriff.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 at Walker’s Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 29690, or Walker’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 5292 Walkers Chapel Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.