Margaret Elizabeth "Marbeth" Sompayrac Huff

Margaret Elizabeth Sompayrac Huff (Marbeth) was born in the tiny little town of Society Hill, SC where she lived an idyllic childhood, surrounded by fields of flowers, grape orchards and fish ponds with her two parents, Lou McIver and Edwin Augustus Sompayrac and sisters Meta DuBose and Clara Louise Collins. She studied hard and became the valedictorian of her class at St. Davis Academy. Marbeth graduated from Converse College with honors. Upon completing college, she married her high school sweetheart, Walter DuBose Huff. Together they had four children, Meta Adams (Tommy) of Germanton, NC and Laurel Fork, VA, Dr. Edwin DuBose Huff (Elsa) of Amherst, NH, Merrie McInnis (Danny) of Bristol, VA and Vickie Shaw (Jimmy) of Raleigh, NC. For thirty six years they lived in Charlotte, NC, where Marbeth became involved with many charities, The Children's Theatre and the Charlotte Little Theater. She served as president of the DAR and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Marbeth was president of The NC Garden Clubs of America and initiated many programs for various garden clubs throughout NC (such as highway beautification programs). During this time, Marbeth began working toward becoming a life master and received that status in 1964. Marbeth dearly loved her thirty six years as a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. In 1968, her family moved to Columbia, SC and remained there until 2009. While in Columbia, Marbeth picked up ballroom dancing right where she had left off as a college student. She later began competition dancing which she thoroughly enjoyed. Throughout her life, she was a great patron of the arts. Her true loves were the Opera Guilds in Charlotte and Columbia, theatre, dance, painting, photography and symphony guilds in both cities. From a young age, she valued the power of volunteering and volunteered tirelessly for everything from the Arts, many charities, The Red Cross, PTA, local libraries and various hospitals. Marbeth was known to her many friends all through the years as having marvelous southern charm and a great wit. Some years ago, her sons-in-law gave her the nickname ""Marvelous."" She was also known far and wide as a superb hostess and entertainer. Bridge luncheons and all types of parties were her specialty. Her Christmas parties were legendary among her legion of friends. From the time she was a teenager, Marbeth developed a Keen interest in politics. During her long life, she was great friends with senators, congressmen, governors and presidents, but her favorite companions were her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her four children, six grandchildren: Taylor, Michael, Jamie, Caitlin, Conner and Edison as well as her five great grandchildren: Noelle, Baine, Harper, Brady and Hunter. Throughout her nearly ninety seven years, Marbeth received numerous accolades, honors and awards. Among her proudest, were her many ballroom dancing trophies, her bridge tournament trophies and having been awarded the highest civilian honor by the Governor of SC, The Order of the Palmetto. Marbeth worked diligently to impart many wonderful traits to her family, the greatest of those being stoic courage, dogged determination and acceptance of circumstances that could not be changed. Even at the end of her life, you witnessed her gracious ways. She was tremendously grateful for her wonderful care. Her company was always very warmly welcomed. Marbeth taught everyone around her not only how to live-but also how to die, with great courage, grace and dignity and she was able to do it all her way. The family wishes to express with much love and deepest gratitude its sincere thanks to the following: Marbeth's beloved Dr. Phillip Moore, Dr. Stacey Hill and Liz Crump, Dr. Aaron Boals, her beautiful nurses, Candace Bowman and Kristen Stamper, The wonderful staff of Arbor Ridge Independent Living, under the superb leadership of Deb Mitchell, The caring and loyal staff of Countryside Manor CCC, under the wonderful leadership of Miles Stanley and Maria Bethea, Hospice and Palliative Care of Winston-Salem and their amazing staff and extraordinary nurses, Jill Teasley and Brittany Collins, and a very special thanks to Reverend Susan Morris. You will remain in our hearts, always. If you choose to contribute to a most noble cause, please let it be Hospice and Palliative Care of Winston-Salem at 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. A private family service will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Hayworth-Miller, Kernersville Chapel. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Columbia, SC. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. Hayworth-Miller, Kernersville Chapel is assisting the Huff family.

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