Dorothy M Huff

Mrs. Dorothy Jeannette Mercer Huff (93), widow of William DeKalb Huff, died on Friday, March 15, 2019 in her home on James Island.

“Dot” was the daughter of Leah May Eaddy Mercer and Richard Orland Mercer. She was born on March 29, 1925 in Georgetown County (Sampit), SC. She graduated from Andrews High School and studied at Mary Washington College and the College of Charleston. She married “Billy” in March of 1946 after he was honorably discharged from the Army and combat duty during World War II. Dot later became the Executive Secretary to Dr. Melvin H. Knisely, head of Anatomy at the Medical University of South Carolina. She later worked part-time for many years at the Huguenot Society of Charleston. Bright and inquisitive, she was an avid reader who maintained an extensive library in her home. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church on James Island and, until her health declined, was a decades-long fixture of the Wednesday Morning Bible Study and Communion Service there. She also served on the altar guild.

Affectionately known as “MaMa” to her grandchildren, she loved them with uncommon passion, and spent afternoons tutoring some of her great-grands in reading and other school work. Dot was known to the family as the “energizer bunny” having survived three bouts of cancer and a stroke with her formidable will to live. As the last of her siblings, Dot was the beloved matriarch of many Huff-Mercer descendants. She was known as “Aunt Dot” to her many nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her. Possessing the rare combination of a keen wit and a loving, accepting demeanor, she was sought by many for encouragement and advice.

She spent part of an idyllic childhood at Rice Hope Plantation, near Strawberry and Mepkin, while her father was caretaker there for Senator Joseph Frelinghuysen of New Jersey. She also spent part of her childhood in McClellanville while her father was foreman of the Santee Gun Club. She was the repository of much lore from a bygone era. We all deeply regret her passing.

Dot is survived by her two sons, William D. Huff, Jr. (Paula) and The Very Reverend Christopher M. Huff (Kim); seven grandchildren: William D. Huff, III of Minnesota; Billy Huff (Phoebe) of Charleston; Ricky Huff (Kristin) of Louisiana; Michael Huff (d. Leah) of Charleston; Christopher Huff (Lynn); Jennifer Huff (James Christopher Sumner); and Ashley Umphlet (Dillard) and eleven great-grandchildren: “Zeke” and Rachel Huff of Minnesota, Eleni, Brianna and Dorothy Huff of Charleston, Grace and Sophia Huff of Louisiana, Donovan and Dante’ Huff, Scarlett James Sumner and Matthew Umphlett of Charleston; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Billy and her daughter, Leah Rouse Huff Cooper; her brothers, Dick and Billy Mercer; and her sisters, Ernestine Wyndham and Emily Gadsden.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 18, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home James Island.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 19 at St. James Church, 1872 Camp Road, Charleston, SC 29412. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home James Island, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.