Gloria Bynum Huffman

Gloria “Jean” Huffman was born August 17, 1942, to the late Emmett and Ellen Bynum. She passed away peacefully at home after a prolonged illness and battle with dementia on May 14, 2025.

She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 60 years, Lawrence Huffman. She will be forever cherished by her children and adopted daughter: Tonya (James) Warmley, Richetta (Cedric) Huffman-Parker, Lamont Huffman, and Laura Piechel. She loved all her grandchildren and great granddaughter: Jarmel, Devan, & Cameron Ricks; Sloan, Evan, & Adrian Parker; Reign Huffman, Erin Ingram, and Kaia Poole.

She is survived by her sister Josephine “Rose” Metcalf whom she loved fiercely. She was preceded in death by her sisters and brother: Kathleen “Nick” (Joseph) Long, Exzene (Walter) Goldston, and Terry “Sonny” (Sylvia) Bynum. She will always be remembered by her brother and sister-in-law: James (Patricia) Huffman and Deborah (Dewey) Weaver. Her cousin, Teddy (Joanna) Sherrod, along with all her nieces and nephews, held a very special place in her heart. Although they were not able to see each other later in life, Naomi (Al) Horton and Elizabeth (Shelly) Eaves were her best friends till the end.

She loved her extended family especially the Grimes and Flanagans. “Mama Jean” was known for her cooking and her love. If you came to her house, you left well fed and a member of the family.

She “adopted” both children and adults. She loved to have a good time and if there was music, she was dancing. She could fish all day and had a green thumb with a huge garden.

She was a faithful member of Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church. She was active in the church, Women’s Society, and the Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Colbert County Homeland Security, and RSVP (20 yrs.).

She was proud to be a member of the Leighton Training School Class of 1960. She graduated from Palmer Memorial Institute. She attended Tennessee State University and was a substitute teacher as well as a teacher’s aide.

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