Mary Dean Eaddy Huggins; 90, widow of Ned L. Huggins, surrounded by her family, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on  Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Mrs. Mary Dean, as she was lovingly referred to by most, was born in the Vox Community of Florence County.  She was a daughter of the late Samuel Pike and Thetis Eaddy.  She attended and received a high school diploma from the Vox Community School.  After high school, she enrolled in and was a member and President of the 1955 graduating class of The McLeod School of Nursing.

In 1966, Mrs. Mary Dean went to work for Florence School District Five where she served as the District Nurse until her retirement in 1996. Throughout her years in Florence Five, she wore many hats and served the district in many capacities.  Over those thirty years, she acted as the district's Attendance Supervisor, Home Liaison Coordinator, Comprehensive Health Education Coordinator, and Substance Abuse Coordinator. She also chaired the District's Health Education Advisory Committee.  In addition, she assisted in the organization of the first class and served as a member of the Staffing Committee for special needs children in the district.  Mrs. Mary Dean's commitment to children did not stop at Florence School District Five.  Through the years, she served on the SC Mental Retardation Board; the Clemson Extension Service Advisory Board, and the Florence County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Committee.  Her professional affiliations included membership in the SC and American Nurses Association, the SC Attendance Superintendents' Association, the American School Health Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Aside from her career, Mrs. Mary Dean worked with her husband to run a Christian home.  Together, she and Mr. Ned strove to "train up" their girls "in the way" they "should go."  She set a Christian example to her family, as well as to many community members, through her dedication to her Lord and Savior.  She was a long-time member of Ebenezer Methodist Church.  Her commitment to Christ as well as her knowledge of God's Word were evident to all who sat in her Sunday School classes over the many years that she taught.  Preparing for and presenting those lessons was not a task nor chore for Mrs. Mary Dean but was an act of love performed for her Savior and the Ebenezer Church Family that she so dearly loved.  In addition, she supported the Church through her service on the Administrative Board for many years.  When she wasn't working with the children and families of Florence School District Five or serving in her church, Mrs. Mary Dean enjoyed working with the flowers in her yard and reading.  She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.

Mrs. Mary Dean is survived by her daughters; Cynthia H. (Terry) Poston, Laura H. Anderson, and Diane H. Prosser; granddaughters, Audrey L. Anderson and Mari Alice (Logan) Roberts; and great-grandson, Tucker Anderson.  She is also survived by the last of her brothers and sisters, Mrs. Noonie Stone, the "baby" of her nine siblings;  as well as special niece, Julie (Roger) Chenoweth.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Mary Dean was predeceased by a grandson, Travis Poston; brothers:  Robert Eaddy, Reginald Eaddy, Javo Eaddy, and SP Eaddy, Jr; and sisters:  Katie Mims, Frances Eaddy, Karlena Powell, and Vivian Carraway.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jodi Hardee ("our hero"), Leah Alford and the Gentiva Nurses, and the Ebenezer Methodist Church Family for all that each of them has done for them during Mrs. Mary Dean's illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Ebenezer Methodist Church located at 1760 Pope Road, Hemingway, SC, 29554.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 2:45 pm in the Ebenezer Methodist Church sanctuary on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Mary Dean requested that memorials be made to Ebenezer Christian Child Care Center, 985 Gasters Road, Johnsonville, SC, 29555 and/or the Travis Poston Memorial Land Fund, Mill Branch Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Tammy Johnson, 2048 Capitola Road, Johnsonville, SC, 29555.

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