Rachel Marlene Wallace Huggins

Rachel Marlene Wallace Huggins, 87, of Cramerton, NC, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2023, after an extraordinary life of love, grace, and service to others.

Marlene was born in Cramerton, NC, on April 28, 1935, to James Cornwell and Annie Mae Baker Wallace. She grew up in Gaston County and eloped to marry Richard Lee Huggins on March 13, 1954. Rick and Marlene had two sons, Jimmy and Stacy. 
Marlene defined her life by deep devotion to her husband and family and to the many people who knew her as friends. She enjoyed travel, golf, music and theater, writing, ceramics, and dancing; her handle during the CB craze was “Jitterbug.” Above all, she loved time with family and friends and helping others find happiness in life.
After graduating from Mount Holly High School in 1953, she began a career as a secretary. In the early 70’s, Marlene attended Virginia Commonwealth University for certification as a teacher’s aide and worked for several years at Bon Air Elementary School in Bon Air, VA. After she and Rick found their way back home to Gaston County, Marlene revived Mount Holly Springfest in 1982 and created the affiliated golf tournament to raise funds for the Holy Angels ministry in Belmont. She and Rick were founding members of Pine Island Country Club in Charlotte, NC.
By far Marlene’s favorite pursuit was her family. She loved Rick and her boys deeply and reveled in her five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Friends readily became family to Marlene; she was everybody’s Nana.
Marlene is survived by her younger son Stacy Lee Huggins, nephew Lawrence Randall Hilliard (Mary), daughter-in-law Sharon Bumgardner Huggins (James Carl), grandchildren Rachel Elizabeth Huggins, Mark James Huggins, Amanda Huggins O’Brien (Jonathan), Andrew Stacy Huggins (Abigail), and Melissa Ann Huggins; great-grandchildren Jaden Huggins, Aoife Spoto, and Violet and Gemma O’Brien; brother-in-law Edward Huggins and sister-in-law Anne Huggins; and countless nieces, nephews, adopted family members, and her dear friend Jacqueline Jenson. She was preceded in passing by her husband, Richard Lee Huggins, son James Carl Huggins, parents James and Annie Mae Wallace, and three brothers, Lewis, Wayne, and Parks Wallace.

Family and friends will commemorate Marlene’s extraordinary life Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 2:00PM at Pine Island Country Club, 1701 Stoneyridge Drive, in Charlotte, NC, with refreshments following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marlene’s memory to Holy Angels at https://www.holyangelsnc.org/donate.