Dennie Fledelle Huffaker

Dennie Fledelle Huffaker             July 2, 1928 – December 29, 2014

Dennie was born to Stephen Patrick  and Dennie Dallas (Hinds) Jones on July 2, 1928 at the Muskogee Baptist Hospital in Muskogee, OK.  She spent her childhood in Tahlequah, OK, attending Northeastern State University and receiving a degree in elementary education.

She married John L. Bally on October 30, 1947 and to this union was born one daughter, Fredda Beth Bally. (John preceded her in death). In 1952, Dennie married Francis Eugene Pyland and to this union was born one son, Stephen Roderick Pyland. (They later divorced).

Dennie taught 3rd and 5th grades at Lincoln Orchard Mesa in Grand Junction, CO and later at Loma Elementary School in Loma, CO through the 1960’s.

She married Charles James Huffaker on September 21, 1982 and to this union brought two step-children, JoEllen Turner and George Denton Huffaker. Dennie and Charles made their home in Fruita, CO. She was a member of the Bethel Assembly of God Church and shared her musical talents by serving as the church pianist. She would often play for nursing homes and other functions when called upon. She had a tremendous love for the Lord and passed this down to her children and grandchildren; often taking her grandchildren to church with her.

In 1986 they  purchased a Mayflower truck and spent 4 years in the moving business. Dennie served as Charlie’s pilot car driver throughout that time. After selling their truck, they purchased a shipping company on North Avenue in Grand Junction, CO, renaming it “C&D Shipping” and ran this business from 1990 until they retired in September 1993. They then moved to Bernice, OK, where they owned and rented homes. In 1996 they moved to Locust Grove, Oklahoma, where they purchased a home on Hudson Lake. Charles purchased a pontoon boat and thoroughly enjoyed his time cat fishing on the lake while Dennie enjoyed reading, playing the piano, visiting her life-long friend, Retha Rader in Tahlequah, OK,  feeding squirrels and attending church.  She was a member of the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Locust Grove, OK. They loved their home and time in Locust Grove. Due to health reasons, they  moved to Naturita, CO, in September 2009 to be closer to family. Charles took care of her until he passed away on April 23, 2013 and Dennie was moved to assisted living and then in to nursing care at Family Health West in Fruita, CO. She went to be with our Lord and Savior on December 29, 2014.

Surviving family members include her sister, Mary Steve (Carl) Hodge of New Orleans; daughter  Fredda Beth Bally; son Stephen Roderick Pyland (Nancy) of Grand Junction, CO; step-daughter  JoEllen Turner (Mike Morgan) of Nucla, CO; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, and best friend, Retha Rader of Tahlequah, OK . She is perceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Dennie Jones; husbands, John Bally, Francis Pyland and Charles Huffaker and step-son George Huffaker .

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West End Senior Center, P.O. Box 232, Nucla, CO 81424 .  Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service in Loving Memory of Dennie will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 1:00pm at the Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose, CO.