Andy Elam Huddleston Jr., 93, of Lake City, went to his heavenly home November 2, 2024. He was born in Ripley, Mississippi, on April 24, 1931. He was a devoted husband to his high school sweetheart, Elsie Mae Huddleston, for 69 years. Andy served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Alaska. After serving his Country, Andy and Elsie moved to Memphis Tennessee where he enrolled at Memphis State and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. He became a Physical Therapist with the VA Hospital.  After a few years, he entered the VA Administrative training program.  After serving at VA Hospitals in Jackson, Mississippi, Tuskegee, Alabama and Tuscaloosa, Alabama he transferred to the VA Hospital in Lake City, FL as Chief Personnel Officer in December 1971.

One of the first things Andy did after moving, was to find a Church home for his family to serve and attend. He became a member of Parkview Baptist Church in January of 1972. He served as an Adult Sunday School teacher for many years.  He was an ordained Deacon and was honored as Deacon Emeritus on December 9, 2011. He loved going to church and worshiping his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Andy was an avid gardener, and he loved to share his vegetables with family and friends. He particularly loved to share with friends at the Lifestyle Enrichment Center where he worked out two to three times a week until recently. He loved all kinds of athletic activities, particularly baseball, basketball, golf, and softball. He played baseball and football at Northeast Mississippi Junior College. He played fast pitch softball while in the Air Force and in numerous fastpitch leagues. He played on the Parkview Baptist Softball Team for many years, well into his sixties. He was well known for his pitching abilities, even in slow pitch softball. He loved to go fishing his entire life. He really enjoyed going to Spotty Bottom to troll for Spanish mackerel with Wayne Morrell, Jimmy Lytte and many friends.

The last few years he was not able to attend Parkview due to his declining health. He could be found every Sunday Morning worshipping the Lord while watching his favorite pastors on television, especially his son Jay Huddleston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Elam Huddleston, and Zadie Beard Huddleston; three brothers, Herbert "Lamar" Huddleston, Walter "Leyman" Huddleston, an Infant bother, and one sister Alta Loraine Huddleston, and His loving wife of 69 years Elsie Mae Huddleston. Andy was a proud father and is survived by his three sons that he loved dearly, Terry (Nancy) of Branford, Jay (Shirley) of Tarpon Springs, Ken (Desiree) of Apopka, seven grandchildren, Kelley (Phil Williams) Huddleston, Ashley (Aaron) Kibler, Kaleb Huddleston, Joel (Sarah) Huddleston, Drew Huddleston, and Edie "Niko" Huddleston, and Dexter Edwards, seven great-grandchildren, Rylen Huddleston, Justin Huddleston, Andy Williams, Paisley Kibler, Bentley Kibler, Kenzie Kibler , and Finley Huddleston.  Special family friends, Dr. Sue Wei Lu, Dr. Roja Pondicherry, Jayanthi Pondicherry and Tolinh Luu.  The family would like to thank Essie Henderson for serving as Dad's caregiver for the past two years. Her kind, compassionate and loving care was greatly appreciated. There are no words that can sufficiently express our gratitude for all that Essie did for Dad the past two years.

Funeral Services will be held at Parkview Baptist Church on Sunday, November 10, 2024. The Funeral will begin at 3:00 pm with Dr. Mike Tatem officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Parkview Baptist Church, Gideons, Hospice or the LifeStyle Enrichment Center.