Shirley Ann Parker Huddleston, 89
April 20, 1936 – October 27, 2025
Shirley Ann Parker Huddleston, 89, of Ripley, Mississippi, passed away at home surrounded by her family on October 27, 2025. She was born on April 20, 1936, in Bells, Tennessee, to Tommie Lyle and Maudie Morris Parker.
Shirley was one of eight children and grew up in a family where hard work and faith were valued above all else. She met James Elvin Huddleston while he was visiting an army buddy down the road from her house. Less than three months after their first meeting, they were married in Corinth, Mississippi. Shirley would often laugh about the time she first met Elvin’s family — when his mother sent Elvin’s dad to town for a can of roast beef because they only had vegetables for the meal. Shirley told her she had eaten many meals of just vegetables, and Elvin always joked that he married the prettiest of the Parker girls and the best cook.
In their first years of marriage, Elvin and Shirley moved three or four times before settling in Prentiss, Mississippi, where they lived for almost ten years. Eventually, they moved to Ripley, Elvin’s hometown, where they put down roots. Shirley later went to nursing school, where she earned her license and worked for 17 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Tippah County Hospital before retiring.
Shirley was a leader in her family. When she was 16, her father suffered a tragic accident while working on a tractor and caught on fire. Shirley, who was in the house making breakfast, heard his cries for help, ran outside, and saved him by putting out the flames with her housecoat. Shirley took on a leadership role during her father’s illness and was always there for her family, making sure they were cared for. She was a giver — when a family member needed help, she was there, steady and dependable.
Shirley worked many jobs growing up, including at the Winter Garden, a vegetable processing plant, where she did everything from cutting okra to packing boxes with frozen food. She also worked as a waitress for her cousin. Her true passion, however, was cooking. She passed down her beloved recipes for green beans, homemade biscuits, baked apples, and caramel cake to her children, along with the secret to making her famous vegetable soup, full of carrots, as well as “beans and meat” — a single dish that was a family favorite. She also put up peaches, pears, and vegetables from her garden, making jams, jellies, and marmalades. Shirley loved corn on the cob, especially the “Got to Have It” variety Elvin grew, though it was eventually claimed by a gang of hungry raccoons.
In her daily life, Shirley enjoyed reading books, completing word puzzles, watching game shows, and attending church. She taught her children to cook without a recipe, to stand up for their beliefs, and to love their family fiercely and unconditionally.
Music was another joy in Shirley’s life. She loved jivy music and was known for humming nameless tunes of her own making while going about her day.
Shirley was a devoted member of Ripley Presbyterian Church, where she worshiped, served, and built lasting friendships.
For 65 years, she and Elvin built a life together that became a living testament to enduring love, laughter, and faith, teaching their children by example what it means to love and be loved.
She is survived by her three children, Tony Huddleston (Linda) of Hattiesburg, MS; Wanda Newton (Billy) of Coats, NC; and Jennifer Huddleston of Ripley, MS. She is also survived by her grandchildren Mac Newton and Emily Parker Newton of Coats, NC; and Lauren Tate of Hattiesburg, MS; and her great-grandchildren Milo and Lola Tate of Hattiesburg, MS. Shirley is also survived by her sister Mary Rogers of Brownsville, TN; her brother Mike Parker (Peggy) of Ripley, MS; her sister Paulette Campbell (Albert) of Arlington, TN; her sister Angie Marlar (Harold) of Brownsville, TN; three sisters-in-law Barbara (widow of Jerry) Huddleston; Sue (widow of Randall) Huddleston; and Marilyn (widow of Jeff) Parker; and a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Among these nieces and nephews, she shared an especially close, almost motherly bond with Shelly and Scott Huddleston, even while loving all her nieces and nephews dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Edna, and her brothers Morris and Jeff.
Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Wednesday October 29, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home, with Re. Dr. Jody Hill officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 PM until 7 PM at the Ripley Funeral Home and will continue from 9 AM until time of service on Wednesday. Burial will be in the Tippah Memorial Gardens with no graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ripley Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 556, Ripley, MS 38663.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
