Lucile Ricks Huffaker, 88, beloved mother, sister, grandmother and cherished friend to all who knew her, passed peacefully at home into the arms of her Lord on March 13, 2026, after a courageous three and a half year battle with Multiple Myeloma. Known affectionately as “Lady” to her friends and family and “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Lady lived a life of unwavering faith, profound wisdom, resilience, and an unshakable belief that happiness is a choice that lies within.
Lady was born on October 30, 1937, in Griffins Township, North Carolina, to the late William Wallace Ricks and Lucile Jones Ricks. She was raised on the Ricks Farm. She graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in North Carolina and Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia.
Employed by Eastern Air Lines in New York City, Lady met Paul Huffaker through mutual friends. Married on September 13, 1958, Lady joined Paul in Venezuela where he was self-employed in the oil industry. She jokingly referred to her life in Venezuela as a honeymoon that lasted eighteen years.
In August of 1976, Lady and Paul relocated to Conroe, Texas with their four children. Paul died unexpectedly in November of 1985. Through the Displaced Homemaker Program, Lady secured employment with Houston Community College, building a professional career that spanned two decades.
Lady is survived by her sister Margaret Ricks Asbury; her four children: Julia Ricks Huffaker, Drew Barton “Bart” Huffaker and wife Karen, Paul Morgan “Pablo” Huffaker and wife Tina, and Etta Huffaker King; her grandchildren Ryan Michael Grayson and wife Steffany, Christopher Paul Fredette and wife Madison, Emma Julianne King and fiancé Ethan, and the joyful anticipation of her great-granddaughter Charlotte Lucile, a beautiful continuation of Lucile’s name and legacy; great-grandson Michael Ryan Grayson. She is also survived by extended family, Paul and Caroline King, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Huffaker; her parents, William Wallace Ricks and Lucile Jones Ricks; and her siblings, T.E. Ricks, Benjamin Ricks, and Frances King.
When asked what special experience in her life had made her the happiest, Lady answered: “The feeling of love… a happy childhood, an adventurous partner in marriage, the joy of giving birth to my children, the joy of grandchildren, all one special experience.” She lived it fully, gratefully and with a heart wide open to every chapter it brought.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, Texas 77303.
Funeral Service will be at Cashner Funeral Home Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10:00 am with Pastor Dr. Jerry Chaddick officiating. Graveside Service will follow in Garden Park Cemetery with a reception afterwards at Cashner Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers: Drew Barton “Bart” Huffaker, Paul Morgan “Pablo” Huffaker, Paul Alexandre King, Christopher Paul Fredette, Ryan Michael Grayson and Michael Ryan Grayson.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Gary Sharpless, Dr. Sandeep “Kodi” Kodityal and Dr. Sai Pingali whose exceptional care, compassion and knowledge guided Lady through her cancer battle with grace and dignity. Sincere thanks are also extended to the dedicated staff of Houston Methodist Hospital at Texas Medical Center and Woodlands Cancer Institute for their tireless commitment to her well-being. The family deeply appreciates Kindful Health Hospice, whose gentle care brought comfort to Lady and her loved ones during her final week at home.
