Wednesday, February 28, 2001
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Wednesday, February 28, 2001 |
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Longtime county leader Grady Huddleston dies By CAROLYN
CARY
One of the pillars of the Fayette County community, Grady Huddleston, is dead at 77. A former state legislator and county magistrate judge, Huddleston, of Fayetteville, died of an apparent heart attack Feb. 20, 2001. A native Fayette countian, he was a 1939 graduate of Fayette County High School, received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Georgia and an L.L.B. degree from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law. He served in the United States Army in World War II, serving in the 34th Infantry Division in Europe. He received the Bronze Star and the European Theater ribbon with two battle stars. He worked for the state of Georgia for more than 20 years and spearheaded its merit system. He served Fayette County for 14 years in the Georgia House of Representatives and for the past 13 years served as a Fayette County magistrate judge, as well as having been a past president of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club. He was a past master of the Tyrone Masonic Lodge 644 and the Fayetteville Masonic Lodge 711. He also was an active member of the Fayetteville Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Said former Fayetteville Mayor A. O. "Bo" Ingram, also a Fayette native, "Even though we were reared on opposite sides of the county, in our adult years we were very close. We both served our country in World War II and have served our home county in many capacities. We worked together as magistrate judges and I could always count on Grady when needed." Fayette County High School graduate David Cary said he always appreciated Huddleston for taking the time to help him. "He always guided me in writing school papers, whether it was about politics or Fayette County. I appreciated his easy-going manner and concern for whatever I was doing." He was born Oct. 7, 1923 in the Clover community of what is now Peachtree City, the son of the late Robert H. "Mr. Bob" and Emily Pope Huddleston. He was also preceded in death by his stepmother, Myrtice Whitlock Huddleston, and a brother, Hugh Huddleston. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Carolyn "Put" Putman Huddleston, formerly of Brooks; daughters Anne and John Palcer, Warrenton, Va., and Gloria Gradine "Gee Je" Huddleston, Atlanta; grandsons Chase Palcer and Jake Palcer, Warrenton, Va.; a brother, Kenneth Huddleston, Americus, Ga.; and sisters Florene H. Adams, Fayetteville, Ruby H. Shelley, Thomaston, and Linda H. Blanchard, Fayetteville. Funeral services were at the Fayetteville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Stringham officiating. Interment was at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City. The cortege was escorted by a dozen law enforcement vehicles.
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