Mary “Linda” Huddleston

Mary “Linda” Huddleston

1952 – 2025

Marie Ann Huddleston known to most by Linda. 

She was born on March 3, 1952, in Vernon, Texas and gained a new life with God’s love on April 28, 2025. Her final days were spent surrounded with love and comfort by those who cherished her most. She spent her life in Oklahoma and was happily married to her husband Gary for 35 years. She had 3 children who she loved unconditionally and with all her heart.

Marie (Linda) was the third of seven children born to Erna Otillie Flohr of Laubuseschbach,Germany and John Albert Germany of Martins Mill, Texas. She was extremely proud of her German heritage.

Her path wasn’t always an easy one, but she was not afraid to step up and face challenges directly. She was known for putting herself last and taking care of others first. Her career path never stood the same course.  From secretarial work to production line worker eventually doing what she really enjoyed; being a dedicated housewife, mother & nena. Marie (Linda) was an extremely hard worker. There was no physical labor which could deter her. She said she could out work most men, and it was the truth. She could. They usually stepped aside and let her take the lead.

The only thing she loved second to family was animals. She had the softest heart when it came to animals of any kind, but she really perferred Chihuahuas. She enjoyed an animal’s unconditional love and considered them to be family. She would try to make pets out of any animal which crossed her path. Strays just knew her doorstep would lead to lifelong love. When one would pass, she would grieve for that animal and firmly believed all of her fur babies would meet her again in heaven.  We believe she is surrounded by them, and they are showing her the appreciation of the unconditional love she gave to them.

She was a woman who always had the most precious smile on her face. Those who knew her best knew how much she loved seafood and buffets. When you combined the 2, she was in her own version of heaven. She was also always right. Always. As were her sisters, which usually led to comical debates of who could do what better as those around would watch and laugh with them to see who would attempt to triumph. Each one was right, but compromise or surrender was never on the table.

She was an amazing advocate for those she loved. If she felt a loved one’s care was being delayed due to bureaucracy at any level, there were no limits to her climbing any chain of command to reach the desired results. The Department of Veteran’s affairs can attest to this firsthand as she considered herself to be a champion of veteran’s rights.

To her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was Nena. In Nena’s eyes, they could do no wrong.  Not even as toddlers throwing a temper tantrum. To her, the parents should have made sure they had what they wanted, and it would have never escalated to that point.  They were never to be corrected or scolded. She worked hard to always get them to the front of any line and gifts or trinkets were always a must as when they left her home. They never left empty-handed. As adults, the same held true.  Her grandkids loved her so much, they never turned away her trinkets. They took them and said thank you because they knew how good it made her feel to give.

 No matter what name was given to any grandchild, she always added a special touch to each one. She either added an “eee” or gave a special nickname to the end of any first name. Nieces and nephews were just as precious to her.

She was preceded in death by her mother Erna Otillie Germany; her father, John Albert Germany; her beloved sister Ann Vaughan; her nephew Brian Vaughan, her great niece Ashlyn Rowe. She is survived by her husband Gary Huddleston Sr; her daughter Christy Smith and her husband Tracey and their three children Dusty Smith, Jesse Smith and Gracey Smith; her son Erik Creekmore and his four children Gabby Lantz, Seth Creekmore, Karsyn Creekmore and Cale Creekmore; her son Jason Creekmore and his wife Charity and their three children Bodey Flinn, Gus Creekmore and Myles Creekmore; her sister Linda Kay Tuggle; her brother John Jr Germany and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Although it’s hard to summarize such an amazing woman’s life in a few paragraphs. God’s touch worked through her even when we didn’t recognize it. God knew she would have struggles but gifted her with a forgiving, compassionate, strong, and loving heart. Her reward was a loving family to witness in life and a place beside Him in heaven where we all will look forward to reuniting with our beautiful Marie and Nena again.

Private services will be held for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ASPCA or your local animal rescue. She loved rescues and was an avid advocate for animals.