Two communities in the Carolinas are mourning the loss of two men whose lives were defined by faith, service, and professional dedication.
John Henry Huggins, known as Jay, died on October 19 in Camden, South Carolina, while mathematics educator Lee Hammack Minor died on October 16 at Skyland Care Center in Sylva, North Carolina, surrounded by family.
John 'Jay' Huggins: Faith and Service in Camden
Born on August 13, 1967, in Hartsville, South Carolina, Huggins was a longtime member of Malvern Hill Baptist Church in Camden.
According to Powers Funeral Home, he endured numerous health problems without complaint and viewed his experiences through his Christian faith.
His family remembered his commitment to helping others through church service, work, and everyday acts of assistance.
Huggins expressed that outlook in a statement about the spiritual meaning he found in his hardships: "If what I am going through brings one person closer to Christ, then its worth it.
So then what I go through is nothing in comparison to what Christ went through for me."
At Malvern Hill Baptist Church, he served as a deacon and participated in children's ministry.
He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, and Clemson Tigers football, and was known for his practical skills and willingness to help friends and neighbors.
The obituary invoked a quotation attributed to Albert Einstein: "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."
Huggins worked at DuPont and was known for taking on handyman projects.
His survivors include his wife, Marty Ann Barkley Huggins; his mother, Emmie Sue Jordan Baird, of Camden; two sisters, Suzanne Brownfield and Tina Rollins; and two brothers, Tony Baird and Timmy Baird.
His father, Bobby Baird, died before him.
Family and friends are scheduled to gather on October 22 at Malvern Hill Baptist Church, 1514 Malvern Hill Drive, Camden.
Visitation is set for 2 to 3 p. m.
, followed by a celebration of life service at 3 p. m.
and burial in the church cemetery.
The family has requested memorial contributions to the church's building fund in lieu of flowers.
Lee Hammack Minor: Educator and Conservationist
Born on June 1, 1943, in Memphis, Tennessee, Minor spent more than three decades teaching mathematics at Western Carolina University.
According to Appalachian Funeral Services, he joined the university's mathematics faculty in 1968 and remained there until 2002.
He subsequently worked as a seasonal tax return preparer at the H&R Block office in Sylva from 2002 through 2024.
Minor earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics at Hendrix College before completing doctoral study at Vanderbilt University.
At Hendrix, he played on the college basketball team and graduated from high school as valedictorian after growing up in Brinkley, Arkansas.
His interest in national parks began with a summer job at Glacier National Park in 1965.
That experience led to extensive travel, including more than 60 National Park Service sites across the United States and 17 hikes into the Grand Canyon.
His travels also encouraged landscape photography, environmental advocacy, and concern for animal welfare.
Minor supported conservation efforts and served as an adviser to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
He also contributed to the refurbishment of Graveyard Fields, a favorite hiking destination in western North Carolina.
His religious life was equally significant.
Minor had been an active member of First Baptist Church in Sylva for more than 40 years, serving on its Board of Deacons and Budget and Finance Committee and teaching Sunday school.
His obituary described him as a gifted communicator whose ability to explain complicated subjects benefited students, academic colleagues, and church members.
Rather than a formal funeral, Minor requested an informal celebration of life following a Wednesday evening fellowship meal at the church's Mission and Fellowship Center.
Attendees will be invited to share "Lee stories" during the gathering.
Minor is survived by his wife, Linda; her children, Tamara Kelly and Travis Turrentine; grandchildren Adam Kelly, Mary Kelly, Keaton Turrentine, and Salem Turrentine; and his sister, Mary Beth Latimer, along with extended family members.
His grandson Isaac Kelly predeceased him.
According to Appalachian Funeral Services, Minor requested that his cremated remains be mingled with those of his dogs Happy and Sonny and his adopted neighborhood Golden Retriever, Casey, before being scattered at his favorite scenic viewpoint in western North Carolina.
Memorial gifts may be directed to First Baptist Church of Sylva or the Humane Society of Jackson County.
