Ray L. Huff

Published 10:27 am Thursday, January 21, 2021

Dr. Ray L. Huff of Wesson, Miss., died peacefully at age 79, January 15, 2021, at Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Miss. A native of Harlingen, Texas, Ray received his BA and MA degrees in Psychology at Baylor University and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Vanderbilt University. He directed a community mental health center in Nashville before moving with his family to Miss. in 1974. Dr. Huff served as the director of mental health services at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson and later began his private practice. He ended his career serving as director of the Southwest Miss. Mental Health Center in Brookhaven. He dedicated his life to serving others, especially in the mission field. Ray and his wife, Faye, worked as missionaries in Harbin, China; Bangkok, Thailand; and Boseman, Montana. They also served their communities through their work with Zion Baptist Church in Dentville, Miss., where they were members for 18 years, and Heucks Retreat Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Miss., where they attended most recently for three years. Ray worked with Hispanic members of the community, translating and assisting them with personal business. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, boating, travel and scuba diving.

Ray is survived by his wife, Faye Templeton Huff, of Wesson; his daughters, Kathy Rice and her husband, Mike, of Lewisville, TX, and Liz Brandon and her husband, Steve, of Jackson; his sons, Jonathan Huff of Dallas, TX, Will Jordan and his wife, Debbie, of Brookhaven, Bob Jordan and his wife, Angie, of Brookhaven, Troy Jordan and his wife, Bridgette, of Brookhaven, and Quinn Jordan and his wife, Kim, of Brookhaven; brothers, James Huff and wife, Gloria, of Florence, AL, Howard Huff and wife, Anita, of McCallan, TX; and sisters, Carolyn McCain and Helen Henry of Houston, TX. Ray is also survived by 16 grandchildren. Huff grandchildren are Nicholas, Margaux and Cheyenne of Colorado Springs, CO; and Nathan and Sam Rice of Lewisville TX. Jordan grandchildren are Lane and Kris Xifos, Lauren, Morgan, Cade, Kaley, Kail, Cannon Grace, Leighton, Kailyn, Rivers and Hayes, and great-granddaughter, Aaryn Xifos, all of Brookhaven. Ray was especially fond of his grandniece, Sidney Elaine Lampton of Jackson, and his late sister-in-law, Jeannie Huff, of McCallan, TX.

A private memorial service will be held Saturday, January 23, at Heucks Retreat Baptist Church in Wesson, Miss. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Heucks Retreat Baptist Church Renovation Fund.

Condolences and other information are available online at www.riverwoodfamily.com.