Mr. Robert B. Huff

This is a brief synopsis of a 102 year life. Robert Huff was born in Pulaski, Giles, County in 1919. He moved to Nashville in the 1930s and was formally educated through the eight grade. He worked at Temco Industries producing appliances until he enlisted in the Army and served in the Quartermaster Corp during World War II. He served in the Rhineland and Northern France theaters of war. After he was discharged, he went back to work temporarily for Temco and used his G.I. bill to obtain training as a carpenter. He put his skills to use and built several pieces of furniture and cabinetry in his home. He also served several years in the Army Reserve and obtained the rank of Sergeant.

He met and married his life long mate Mary Thelma Henley in 1946. From that union, two children Gwethalyn and Barry Huff, were born. He purchased his only house in 1956 on Villa Place against all odds and the naysayers who told him he could not afford a house in that area. He lived in that house for 65 years.

Robert was subsequently employed with the Nashville Post Office, initially as a custodian then a truck driver. He attended Mason School of Business to develop clerical skills which allowed him to apply and qualify for higher paying clerical jobs as they became available. He successfully obtained a clerical job in the motor pool maintenance department. He worked for the post office for 30 years, retired on a Friday and went to work at the Tennessee Department of the Blind on Monday. He worked as a library assistant for several years and retired, this time for good.

Robert was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church for most of his life. He served on the Deacon and Usher Boards and was a Boy Scout Troop leader. As his faith in God evolved, he joined a non denominational church, Faith is the Victory and served in the Men’s Fellowship and the Usher Board. He also expanded his knowledge of God's word by attending and graduating from the church’s Bible College. He was a faithful member of this church until his death.

Robert, like most men of his generation, accomplished a lot with a limited education and resources. He was a hard worker and a great provider for his family. He worked several years selling Watkins products in the South Nashville community out of the back of his Ford station wagon. He also sold custom shirts, marketing and promotional material for businesses, and directly sold Mason shoes on the side to supplement his income. He also modified his home to make a separate rental unit upstairs which provided additional income.

After retirement, Robert volunteered for several years with Meal on Wheels delivering food to seniors who looked forward to his daily visits which provided a meal and someone to fellowship with for a few minutes each day. He was recognized for his service to the program and featured in their promotional material. He served as a volunteer until his age no longer afforded him the energy or driving ability necessary to deliver the meals. In his latter years, he became a recipient of meals from the program. He established some life long relationships with the program officials.

Robert was the central figure of his family providing wisdom, guidance and love to all its members. He will be sorely missed. He was preceded in death by wife of 50 years Mary Thelma Huff, father Andrew Huff Sr, mother, Mattie McNairy Huff, sisters Viola (Bill) Jones, Lillie (James) Johnson, brothers Andrew Huff Jr., and Eddie Huff. He is survived by his two children Gwethalyn and Barry (Angela) Huff, sisters Annie (Jesse) Washington, brother Davy Huff, grandchildren Meagan R. Huff, Lauren (Brandon) Williams, Evan Bailey and great grandchild, Bailey Rae Williams.

The funeral service will be live streamed on FACEBOOK at Lewis-Wright FD and you may also join in via ZOOM. The ZOOM meeting ID is listed below;

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In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to FiftyForward Fresh (Meals on Wheels) program.