Mary Evelyn Cummins Huggins peacefully passed away in her sleep at Christwood on Saturday, June 6th. She was 95. Her family and friends will forever cherish her love, devotion and compassion. “Nana” was born in Fayetteville, TN on May 12th, 1920 to William Joseph Cummins and Mary Frances March Cummins. She was the oldest of 5 other children and went on to meet her husband, the late Dr. Clyde “Sid” Huggins, at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Huggins would often recall to family the day when he first spotted Evelyn and her curly red hair from across the cafeteria, and knew he must be introduced. They would later marry in 1944 before Sid had to report back to the Marine Base in Pensacola. An elated Evelyn wrote to her aunt a few days after the wedding, saying “it all just seems a dream.”
Sid and Evelyn lived in Oxford, MS, Mobile, AL and New Orleans. Over the years, Evelyn held national, state and local offices in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of American Colonists, Colonial Dames and Daughters of 1812. Later in her life, she took paramount joy from nurturing her grandchildren and pride in watching them all grow to become accomplished adults. She was cared for in her final years by a team of dedicated nurses, led by Jacki Bradley, who managed her care with the utmost skill and kindness. Not enough thanks can be given to Jacki, Marilyn McIntyre, and the many other nurses and staff of Christwood Retirement community, who provided for Evelyn in the final years with unsurpassed devotion.
Mrs. Huggins is survived by three children: Lydia Schmalz and husband Howard, son Peter and wife Chris, Lisa Wilson and husband, Peter. “Nana” is survived by 6 grandchildren: Philip Schmalz, Thomas Huggins and wife Andrea, Mary Dabney Huggins, Matthew Wilson and wife Annie, Andrew Wilson and Peter Wilson, Jr. She is also survived by one great-grandchild, Matthew “Gaines” Wilson, Jr., son of Matthew and Annie.
Funeral services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, Tn, on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday from 1 until 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Higgins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
