Stephanie Huffman

Stephanie Suzette (Black) Huffman, 35, was born July 9, 1972 in Cleburne, Texas to Julia (Rose) McMichael Black and William Marvin (Buzzy) Black. She passed away at home surrounded by her family and friends and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 23, 2008 after a courageous six year battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her husband and best friend of seven years, Brent Huffman of Cleburne, mother Julia (Rose) Hedgecock and step-father Woody Hedgecock of Cleburne, sister Melanie Marbut and husband Doug of Cleburne, step-sister Jori Hedgecock and nephew Jerrett Hedgecock of Cleburne, grandfather Alvin M. Black, Sr. of Cleburne, grandmother Jackie Washington and husband David of Oklahoma, father and mother-in-law Dr. Robert and Mrs. Jeanne Huffman of Cleburne, brother-in-law Ryan Huffman, wife Summer and nephew Gavin of Burleson, sister-in-law Tiffany Huffman VanSlyke, husband Daren and nephew Dylan of Cleburne, aunt Paula and uncle Chris Athey of Huntsville, Texas, aunt Betty Black of Cleburne, uncle Alvin M. Black, Jr. and wife Annette of Mississippi, cousin Alicia Johnson, husband Steve and sons Wes and Brett Johnson of Goat Neck, cousin Gary Lee Peterson, wife Brenda, and sons, Carl West, and Quail and Gary Dee Peterson of Glen Rose, cousins John Payne, Tim Athey, Nikki Black Eyman, Heather Black Volkman, and Holly Black Patnode, a multitude of young survivor sisters, friends, other family members, and her beloved Yorkie, Rexx.

She was preceded in death by her father William Marvin (Buzzy) Black and her maternal grandparents W.P. and Leera Mae McMichael.

She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at the age of eight as a member of the Calvary Chapel Baptist Church in Cleburne. For the past several years she has attended the Cleburne Bible Church.

She attended Cleburne Schools and graduated in 1991. She graduated from Hill College School of Nursing in 1998.

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 11 o'clock at the Calvary Baptist Church on Woodard Street in Cleburne. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It was Stephanie's request that everyone wear something pink to the services in honor of breast cancer awareness. Pastor David denHartog of Cleburne Bible Church will officiate. There will be no graveside service. A memorial marker dedication will take place at Baker-Lain Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers she requested donation be made to Johnson County Relay for Life c/o Mary Ann Wheatley, PO Box 134, Cleburne, TX 76033 or Cleburne Bible Church Building Fund, PO box 1522, Cleburne, TX 76033. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Young Survivors of Tarrant County support group.

Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29, just after her first wedding anniversary. She immediately decided, "I can either lay down and die or get up and live. I choose to get up and live." She spent the next 6 years not only fighting for her own survival, but for the survival of many who were diagnosed by breast and other cancers. She made it her mission in life to bring awareness and funding to cancer research. She fought through countless rounds of chemo, radiation, and surgeries, but never let it get her down for long. If there was a task to be done she found strength from the Lord above to make it happen. She had the steadfast support of her loving husband Brent, her family and friends, and countless prayer warriors to help her along. She was a woman of strong faith and beauty, always putting others before herself even during her toughest times. She was a hero and inspiration to everyone she met and to those who never met her, but only heard her story. She was the chairwoman for the Johnson County Relay For Life in 2006 and 2007. She had the largest relay team in the five-year history of Johnson County Relay for Life. She participated in the Celebration on the Hill in Washington, D.C. where she lobbied congress with other survivors for more funding to go toward cancer research. She also participated in the Komen Race for the Cure and was honored by them for her survival. She was a charter member of the Young Survivors of Tarrant County and member of the Smiling Women Project who encouraged newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors and provide much needed support. She was portrayed on the Smiling Women Project DVD. In 2006 she was honored at the Joanie Hatcher Memorial Luncheon as one of the years inspiring Survivors. She proudly displayed pink ribbons everywhere to bring about awareness of this terrible disease.
Stephanie's strength, determination, hope, courage, and perseverance was an inspiration to everyone she encountered. She asked that her services be a celebration of life and not a sad occasion. She knew she was in the arms of the Lord and had no doubt she was going to a better place. She stated to her family and friends near the time of her death, "I am comfortable with my mortality, and I want you to be, too. No tears. Dry it up!" She did not want to leave unhappy people behind, only fond memories of her life and the determination to find a cure for cancer. She was a hero to thousands-many of whom she never met. Her flame will live on in countless hearts and will provide hope and encouragement to those left to fight the good fight.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." -2 Timothy 4:7

Visitation

Crosier-Pearson Cleburne
512 North Ridgeway Dr.
Cleburne, TX 76033
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
6-8 PM
Map to Visitation Location

Service

Calvary Baptist Church
700 Woodard Ave.
Cleburne, TX 76033
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
11:00 A.M.
Map to Service Location