Linda Arlene Longcrier Huckaby

A celebration of the life and memories of Linda “Arlene” (Longcrier) Huckaby, 76, of Tyler will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church. Dr. David O. Dykes and Rev. Ken Brumley will be officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Upon her passing at home in Tyler, Texas on Friday morning, February 26, 2021, Arlene reunited with the true and proud loves of her life: her husband, Billy Joe Huckaby, who preceded her, and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Arlene was born in Pryor, Oklahoma on July 1, 1944, the third of five children to Rufus Hogan Longcrier and Leta (Atkins) Longcrier. She grew up in the foot of the hills of the Pleasant View community just a few miles outside of Pryor, Oklahoma. Before attending high school in town, she and all of her siblings enjoyed their grade-school years at the two-room school house provided at Pleasant View School. Arlene made lifelong friends in Pleasant View and easily continued that tradition throughout her life. Her addictive smile lit up every room she entered. On July 2, 1961, Arlene married her best friend, Bill Huckaby. She was truly happy as a young wife and mother; she felt like she was doing what God made her for. She loved the activities and responsibilities of raising and spending time with her children, Laura, Marcia, and Cliff and their friends. At 35 years old, Arlene attended Tyler Commercial College where she graduated first in her class before working for IBM for 14 years (she was the honored recipient of the accomplished “IBM-Means-Service” award four of those years). Following IBM, Arlene worked over 20 years at Green Acres Baptist Church as the Executive Assistant to Pastor David O. Dykes. Arlene was always on the go. She was an accomplished tennis player from her late 20’s throughout her life, and won a multitude of trophies and ribbons. Being active and adventurous even led her to learn to kayak on her 75th birthday. She had wonderful friends and loved going out to movies, concerts, plays, and out to eat. Starting out with no love lost for pets in their home, Arlene came to eventually love her adopted feline children whose antics brought her so much delight and joy. Even until her last days, she loved when they chose her lap as their bed for mutual comfort. She will be missed by so many, but her love will live on in all of us. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Bill Huckaby, her brothers, Norman and Roger, and her sister Carma. Arlene is survived by her daughters Laura (Lane Leppink), Marcia Huckaby, and son Cliff Huckaby; grandchildren: Daneal Garbow, Craig Chrisman, Kamry Steel, and Jacobi Steel; great-grandchildren: Branson Steel, Skylynn Steel, Kali Mae Steel, and Brenlee Steel; her brother Hollan; her sisters-in-law, Willie Longcrier, and Susan Huckaby; her brothers-in-law Stan Woodhead, and Homer (Karen) Huckaby; and the most loving group of nieces and nephews anyone could ask for, and honorary family members, Scott and Dawn Whitehurst. If desired, memorials may be made to Breckenridge Village (15062 CR 1145, Tyler, Texas 75704).

Linda Arlene Longcrier Huckaby

July 1, 1944 - February 26, 2021