Esther "Pearl" Huffman

Esther Pearl Smith Huffman, age 102, of the Enola Community in Burke County, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Pearl and her twin brother, Earl were born on a snowy February 15, 1917, to the late Ed and Sarah Mull Smith.

Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Huffman; siblings: Ruth S. Hull, Lloyd Smith, Bernice Smith, Earl Smith, Ruby S. Ollis and Shirley Smith; a nephew, Marshall Smith; and a special friend, Lee Ross.

She is survived by a step-son Claude Huffman, sister-in-law, Dorothy Upton Smith; nieces and nephews, Russell Hull, Michael Smith, Jim Ollis, Linda Lowery, Coman Smith, Bruce Smith, Lemmie Smith, Meda Smith and Cindy S. Schultz; numerous other relatives and her beloved church family.

Pearl went to Enola School, Morganton High School and completed her GED at Western Piedmont Community College. She worked at Morganton Full Fashion Hosiery Mill, later known as Premier Hosiery Mills, until her retirement at age 65.

She loved to go to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church where she accepted Jesus as her Savior in 1930, and faithfully read her Bible daily. Over the years she served as the church treasurer, helped in the church library and prepared the elements for Holy Communion.

Pearl enjoyed traveling, fishing, gardening, sewing, cooking and canning. She never missed an adventure. When you went for a visit, you were expected to have some of her delicious home cooking before you left.

She was a dedicated caretaker for her parents and her sister, Bernice. She was loved and respected by her nieces and nephews, some of whom thought of her as their second mother. She encouraged us all to live for Jesus and was a wonderful Christian example.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 1, 2019 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Jack Hodges and Rev. Dr. Larry W. Cline officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care.

Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton has the honor of serving the family.