Nelson "Russ" Russell Huffman

Russ had Downs Syndrome and turned 52 years old this past March. He was born at a time when there was no help for parents with a child with Downs Syndrome. His mother chose to raise him as she would any other child. She placed him in regular school which is called mainstreaming. He graduated from Ridgeland High School with honors and was well liked by his classmates.

Russ loved to sing, to dance, and to act. His big dream was to live in New York City and become a famous Broadway actor. He visited New York four times and attended a Broadway play each time. His favorite was Cats. He and his sister, Angie, even took a cruise to the Caymen Islands in the Caribbean and were stranded in the Gulf of Mexico for three days by a hurricane.

We want to say just a few words about the staff in the home where he lived with Allied Community Supports. We never had to worry about Russ's treatment, and even more so when he fell ill. He was like family to them and we owe Allied many special thanks.

Russell is survived by his mother, Sandra Smith, his sister, Angie Huffman, his father, Ed Huffman, his aunts Peggy Krishbaum, and Pat Collins, and his uncle, Ronald Morris. We will meet him again at the gates of heaven.

A Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday October 30, 2024 at Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel with visitation beginning at 9:30 am followed by the Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 am. He will be laid to rest in the Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, TN., has been entrusted with the arrangements.