Josephine Day Huff

Josephine "Jo" Day Huff, age 99, of Oxford, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at home with her beloved daughter Toni Dae Huff Denny and Toni’s husband Eddie by her side.

Born on January 24, 1926, in Person County, North Carolina, “Mama Jo,” as she was more affectionately known to her family and close friends, was the cherished matriarch of her family and a beloved member of her community.

Jo’s life is marked by her unwavering devotion to her family, friends and community. She is the daughter of Charlie Smith Day and Jennie Blondie James Day and devoted sister to Nannie “White" Aiken, Edna Clayton, Jennie Lou Rogers, Wiliah Ree Welch, Sallie Jane Slaughter, Clint Day, Burley Day, Burke Day, Algie Day and Emery Day. She became a sister to all of her Huff in-laws Bellzora Burwell, Candace Young, Mildred Dixon, Leona Oakley, Bob Huff, H.T. Huff, and Yates Huff, Jr. To her many nieces and nephews, “Aunt Jo” was a constant presence of love and joy in their lives.

Most proudly, Jo was the devoted and caring wife of 56 years to Bernice "Jim" Daniel Huff, Jr., loving mother to Toni and a baby son, Bernice Daniel Huff, III. Her son-in-law, Eddie, his sister, Claudette Denny Phillips and her husband Robby Phillips, are counted among her most treasured.

Her grandchildren Bryan Denny (Amanda) of Williamsburg, VA and Elizabeth Denny Haenle (Paul) of Chevy Chase, MD and their spouses benefited greatly from her nurturing and abiding belief in them. Her loving legacy has continued through their children, her great-grandchildren, Nathan, Maggie, Kaili, and Alexis of Williamsburg, Virginia, Thomas Haenle, and Jo’s namesake, Mabel Day Haenle of Chevy Chase, Maryland. Because of Mama Jo, they believe that all things are possible with a good education and a stellar reputation.

Jo was a lifelong member of Trinity Crossroads Methodist Church, where she served for 50 years as Treasurer. A member of the Granville County Zoning Board from 1987-1995, she loved her hometown and enjoyed being involved in planning and protecting its future growth.

A serious student throughout her life, Jo graduated a year early from Helena High School and was still named valedictorian of her class at the age of 16. She was one of the first women to receive a full scholarship for teaching from Duke University. Yet, she opted to attend Croft Business College, where she honed her business skills and went on to serve in the leadership suite of Liggett Myers Tobacco Company in Durham, NC. Later in life, she resumed her studies at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Continuing Studies Programs.

As an entrepreneur and successful businesswoman, Jo co-founded Huff Supply Company, an agricultural and farm supply company she started with her husband Jim after they retired from tobacco farming. Huff Supply Company served the community for more than 20 years. 

Much can be offered about the accomplishments of this remarkable, trailblazing woman, friend, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, but summing up the best of her life may be found in the letters she leaves behind. Writing to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren each week beginning in 1985 when her grandson left for college, she continued this practice until she lost her eyesight just a few years ago. Those handwritten letters were received weekly in places around the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Germany, Singapore, and China.

In the Heavenly place she has always known to be home, Jo is warmly received by those who preceded her: her parents, her husband, her baby son, her beloved sisters and brothers, and a whole host of family and friends who are glad to see their girl again. While she will be deeply missed in this place, she leaves behind her family and friends filled with gratitude for her remarkable life and the joy of being loved by her.

Pallbearers are her son-in-law, Eddie Denny, her grandson Col. (ret.) Bryan Denny, her great-grandson Thomas Haenle, her grandson-in-law LTC (ret.) Paul Haenle, along with her nephews Carl Rogers and Kirk Slaughter.

Honorary Pallbearers are her great-grandson Specialist Nathan Denny, currently serving in 2-14 Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division, Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii, her nephew Bob Slaughter, Col. (ret.) Phil Pope, Henry N. Thorp, Jr., John Satterfield, Blake Morris, Thomas Huff, Forest Oakley, and Merlin Young. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their quality care and a special thank you to Nikki Carver for her loving care and dedication to the entire family.

Arrangements are entrusted to Gentry, Newell, and Vaughn in Oxford, North Carolina and an open viewing will be during normal business hours on Friday, June 6 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm.

Jo’s final resting place will be beside her husband and son. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 7 at Trinity Crossroads Methodist Church, 6543 Goshen Road, Oxford, NC. The Reverends Zach Julick and Jack Ruth will officiate. The family will receive visitors in the church fellowship hall following the interment.

Donations may be made to Trinity Crossroads Methodist Church Attn: Jennifer Bowman, In Memory of Josephine Day Huff, 2044 U.S. Hwy 158, Oxford, 27565.