BB Huff (1928-2013) and Dixie Huff (1930-2014) The Smyth County Jam is honored to have this faithful couple attend almost every Monday. They are local Chilhowie residents, living close to the jam venue. Mr. Huff (B.B.) is a retired farmer and land owner. He was born in Washington County, Virginia. He is a graduate of Hargrave Military Academy. Mrs. Huff (Dixie) was born in Watauga County, North Carolina in the community of Valle Crucis. She graduated from a women's college (UNC) and spent her working career teaching in Washington and Smyth County school systems. Dixie retired in 2000. They have five children, including a set of twins. She says they wish they had known about the Smyth County Jam earlier and they would not have missed so much good music! Dixie says she likes all types of music, including the classics. We are fortunate to have folks like the Huff coming to the jam regularly; they are very friendly and reach out to new-comers often.
In Memorandum
Ballard Buckner Huff, Jr., age 84, passed away on April 12, 2013 in the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie, Virginia.
He was born on July 29, 1928 to the late Ballard B. Huff, Sr. & Elizabeth Dyer Huff. Mr. Huff grew up on the Huff Farm in Glade Spring, Virginia. He was a lifelong farmer & owner of B.B. Huff Processing Plant, which he operated for 29 years. Mr. Huff was a graduate of Hargrave Military School where he served as Battalion Commander of Cadets during his senior year in 1947. He had also attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was a member of the Chilhowie Masonic Lodge #250 AF/AM. He was a former member of the Chilhowie Lions Club, serving as President in the early years of that organization. He was the former President of the Rich Valley Farmer’s Club and was a member of Board of Virginia Highlands Community College for 8 years, serving as Chairman of the Board for 2 years. Mr. Huff was a former member of the Virginia Highlands Foundation Board and was a member of the Foundation Board of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. He was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Chilhowie.
He is survived by: Wife: Dixie Farthing Huff
Children: Ballard Buckner (Buck) Huff, III, Seven Mile Ford, George William (Bill) Huff & wife Robin Ward Huff, Newman, GA, Benjamin Cannaday Huff & wife Lauren Evans Huff, Alexandria, VA, Marian Elizabeth (Beth) Merdian, Louisville, KY, Nancy Ann Huff & husband Alan Zacharias, Boulder CO & Abingdon, VA
Sister: Nancy Huff Barns, Richmond, VA
Six Grandsons & two Granddaughters
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday April 13, 2013 at the St. James Lutheran Church with Dr. Jack Garland officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Masonic Rites rendered. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made a charity of one’s choice. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie is serving the family.
In Memorandum
Dixie Rae Farthing Huff, widow of Ballard Buckner Huff, Jr., (B.B.) died on July 14th 2014 at Broadmore Senior Living in Bristol, Tennessee.
Dixie Huff was the daughter of Dixie Rachael Glenn and Benjamin Walter Farthing and was born July 16th 1930 in Valle Cruces, North Carolina. She graduated from the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in July 1st 1951, completing all requirements for graduation in just two years and nine months, and she returned to Greensboro in 1952 to observe her classmate’s graduation ceremony, having already taught school the previous year.
Dixie and B.B. were married on May 22nd 1951 and shared sixty-one years together, as B.B. passed away on April 12th 2013.
Dixie was preceded in death by not only her husband and parents, but also by two sisters, Frances Farthing and Laura Farthing Church, and four brothers, Raymond, Wheeler, Louis and twin brother Benjie Farthing. The surviving siblings include Baxter Farthing and wife Reba of Manassas Virginia and her twin brother’s widow Agnes Farthing of Colfax, North Carolina. Surviving children include Buck Huff, Bill Huff and wife Robin, Ben Huff and wife Lauren, Beth Merdian, and Nancy Huff. Dixie and B.B. have eight grandchildren: William, Andrew, Mary Catherine, and Daniel Huff; David and Eric Merdian; Matthew and wife Jessamyn Huff; and Kristyn and husband Chris Gibson. Dixie Huff was a retired educator, having first taught in Washington County in the early 1950s, and for many decades in Smyth County, Virginia. For many of the early family years, she worked alongside her husband in the operations of the B.B. Huff farm in Glade Spring, Virginia while also maintaining the home front and helping to raise their five children. She returned to full-time teaching in 1979, retiring in 2000 with 25 years of teaching service and just shy of her seventieth birthday.
In addition to experiencing a particularly busy family life, Dixie proudly promoted the advancement of her hometown of Chilhowie, sincerely believing in the town’s fine reputation and virtues for being a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Over the years, she served in many diverse church and civic organizations as a member as well as holding key positions of leadership. She was a member of the Smyth County Red Cross, the Smyth County Concert Association, and Board Member for the Smyth County News and Messenger.
She was a long-time member of St. James Lutheran Church where she served on the church council as Executive Secretary for a number of years. Dixie was also a member and former President of the Smyth County Retired Teachers, and a former member of the Executive Board of District I Retired Teachers. Finally, she was a devoted charter member of the Executive Board of the Chilhowie Community Apple Festival for 40 years, having also served as its Executive Secretary for 16 years. She was a charter member of Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, which is an international society that promotes excellence in teaching. Dixie was recognized as Teacher of the Year 1996-1997 at Chilhowie Middle School.
Dixie was a two-time cancer survivor, and she devoted much energy championing many activities associated with the Cancer Outreach Foundation, Inc. of Abingdon Virginia. Her passions were many, but she took special pride in her work on the Chilhowie Apple Festival Committee and the Democratic Party of Virginia. Dixie Rae Farthing Huff lived a full and accomplished life as wife, mother, sister, aunt, educator, and friend to all who knew her.
Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 18th 2014, at St. James Lutheran Church in Chilhowie with Reverend Jerry A. Eggers officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. There will be no family visitation prior to the service; however, family members will receive friends at the Riverfront Café in Chilhowie, VA at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Outreach Foundation of Abingdon or Loaves & Fishes Chilhowie Area Food Pantry.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Dixie Rae Farthing Huff lived a full and accomplished life as wife, mother, sister, aunt, educator, friend to all who knew her, and a believer in her Savior Jesus Christ. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Huff Family.
