Marie Humphreys

Mrs. Marie Akin Humphreys, 104, of Dalton, GA died March 13, 2010. She was born Jan. 24, 1906 in Graysville, GA, daughter of Lewis Cantrell and Sarah Katherine Akin.

After the death of her parents in 1914, Marie and her sisters relocated to Chattanooga, TN. Marie was preceded in death by husband Harold M. Humphreys, a Chattanooga labor law attorney, son Dr. Gilbert Humphreys, DVM, sisters Harriette A. Lawson, Bertice A. Douglass, and Billie Akin.

Marie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga and taught Bible in public schools for many years under the leadership of Dr. Park McCallie. Marie and Harold were an integral part of John Chambliss' Reflection Riding in Chattanooga. Harold was one of the original founders of Reflection Riding in 1956 and served on the board for 17 years until his death. Marie and Margaret Chambliss (Mrs. John) planted masses of wildflowers, native trees and shrubs at Reflection Riding to enrich the existing plant life. After Harold's death, Marie served as Reflection Riding manager for several years. The Humphreys House at Reflection Riding, where she lived for over 50 years, was constructed from 3 historical Hamilton County houses which she re-assembled.

Survivors include daughter Caroline Humphreys Brown (Jack) of Dalton, daughter-in-law Bobbie Anne Humphreys Parker of Chattanooga, grandchildren Becky Humphreys Smallwood (Tony) of Lawrence, KS, Dr. Lewis Humphreys (Alicia) of Dothan, AL, Mal Humphreys (Anne) of Oak Ridge, TN, Lina Humphreys Thomas (Peter) of Ooltewah, TN, Caroline Brown Hudson (Steve) of Fairfax, VA, Thomas Brown (Janet) of Dalton, GA, Harold Brown (Leigh Anne) of Huntsville, AL, David Brown (Jennifer) of St. Louis, MO, 17 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harold and Marie Humphreys Scholarship Fund at Covenant Seminary, 12330 Conway Rd., St. Louis, MO 63141 or to World Missions at First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, 554 McCallie Ave. Chattanooga, TN.

Graveside service will be MONDAY, March 15, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga, Rev. John Allen officiating. The family will receive friends in the Humphreys House at Reflection Riding following the graveside service.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.