BILLIE H. HUNTLEY OBITUARY
Billie Hodge Huntley, of Rutherfordton, NC and Charlottesville, VA, died Sunday, June 28, 2015 after a prolonged illness. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Rutherfordton at 11 o’clock on Monday, July 6. Billie was born March 21, 1931 in Rutherfordton, Billie was the only child of J. C. Hodge and Ella Wright Hodge. She was raised in Rutherfordton, attending school and graduating from dear old Central High. She then graduated from Mars Hill College and Wake Forest College, where she majored in music. After marrying Dan A. Harrington, she briefly lived in Greensboro, NC, where her children were born. She returned home to Rutherfordton, where she and Dan raised their children. She was very active in her children’s lives, helping out with Little League baseball, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, music lessons, chaperoning trips, etc. After marrying Bill Huntley, she moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where she enjoyed the many cultural attractions that were available, even equestrian lessons. There she was able to study piano again under the auspices of world-renowned teacher. Upon Bill’s retirement from the Library of Congress, they returned to Rutherfordton. Billie was a piano teacher for much of her adult life. She was an excellent card player, and very much enjoyed her bridge games, and the many friends with whom she played. She loved being outdoors, going to the beach and getting as tan as possible. In later years she enjoyed her riding lawn mower, ducking branches and never minding the sticks and rocks that might get in the way. She was a pet lover, particularly her dogs, from Roney, when she was a little girl, to Sam, the last in a long line of faithful companions. She was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, where she played piano and taught Sunday School. She is survived by her son, Dan A. Harrington, Jr. (Elinor Moseley) of Pawleys Island, SC and her daughter, Debra DeHaven (Conrad) of Charlottesville, VA, and her faithful cocker spaniel, Sam. She was predeceased by her husband, William R. Huntley. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, your hospice, or the First Baptist Church, 246 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.