History
Charles E. Huff International Funeral Home has been serving Columbus area families for years. We are honored to be a part of the rich history of this community and plan to be a part of it for many years to come.
From the Beginning...
In beautiful Columbus, Georgia, the courageous and strong willed Charles E. Huff, Sr. met and married the shy and charming Malinda Hudson Huff.
Education
Charles Huff, Sr. attended William H. Spencer High School in Columbus, Georgia. He attended Albany State College before he was drafted into the military. Charles Huff, Sr. served his country in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II. He gave five years of service and exited with an honorable discharge. He attended the Atlanta School of Mortuary Science, where he received a degree in Mortuary Science. Malinda Huff also graduated from William H. Spencer High School. She attended Miles Memorial College in Birmingham, Alabama for her freshman year. She then transferred to Fort Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English. She furthered her studies at New York University where she earned a Master of Arts degree in English. Her post graduate study was completed at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois and Columbus College.
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Family and Career
Charles and Malinda, were blessed with their first child, Charles, Jr. followed by Bruce and Kenneth Huff. Charles Huff, Sr. worked hard developing experience in his trade at a few local funeral homes. In 1951, his dream was given life. Charles, along with his wife Malinda, founded International Funeral Home. They were located at 837 - 5th Avenue in Columbus, Georgia. The building was formally the old Tole Funeral Home, one of the oldest funeral homes in Columbus, Georgia. Malinda taught school 9 months out of the year and assisted her husband on the weekends and during the summer months as a lady attendant and chauffeur.
Malinda’s 38 year teaching career included Radcliff High School, Spencer High School, and Columbus High School. One of her most interesting experiences was helping twelve adults earn their high school diploma that was required for them to maintain their jobs. This “summer school” was done in her home, while she cared for Charles, Jr. In a continued effort to support her husband and his career, Malinda became a licensed funeral director in 1971. She continued to drive the family vehicles and if necessary she had the authority to start a funeral service in the event her husband had another funeral at the same time.
In 1980, Malinda and Charles, Jr. encouraged Mr. Huff to add his name to the funeral home name. In 1981, Charles E. Huff’s International Funeral Home, Inc. moved to its current location, 927 - 5th Avenue. This colonial style house with its stately pillars belonged to the late Mr. and Mrs. Clude Jackson. They sold this house to Charles Huff, Sr. allowing his business to flourish.
Affiliations
Charles Huff, Sr. was an active member of the Prince Hall Mason F&AM; Electric City Lodge No. 322; United Supreme Council, 33° - Jacob Harrison Consistory No. 85; Al Faruk Shrine Temple No. 145; Georgia Funeral Practitioners Association, Third District and Triple X Social Club.
Malinda Huff was a member of the Gamma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in which she was a Life Member, a Golden Soror, and past president. She was a member of the Columbus, Georgia Chapter of the Links, Inc., NAACP, National Council of Negro Women of America, Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Inc., Spencer High School Alumni Association, and Retired Teachers Association of the Muscogee County School District.
They both were active and loyal members of St. James A.M.E. Church. Charles was a member of the Trustee Board. Malinda was a member of the Stewardess Board, the Mass choir, and the Sanctuary Choir.
Transition
Charles E. Huff, Sr. departed this life on Sunday, June 14, 1992. Malinda Hudson Huff departed this life on Tuesday, March 22, 2000. The legacy they created for their children and grandchildren continues to live on.