Rev. Dr. Stephen McQueen Huntley, Jr. age 87, of Stokesdale, NC, passed away at Countryside Manor in Stokesdale on July 12, 2023. Steve was loved for his patience, gentleness, and kindness, his positive and gracious personality, his genuine concern for others, and his quiet, happy nature. He was an unwavering servant of Christ and lived his life as such.
Steve was born in Charlotte, NC and was raised in various small towns throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. He obtained his education from Davidson College, where he received his calling to the ministry, followed by Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. While a seminary student, he served as the summer supply pastor in 1959 at Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Grover, NC, immediately followed a full-year internship at The Granada Presbyterian Church, Coral Gables, FL. Steve graduated from seminary with his Master of Divinity degree in 1961, his Master of Theology degree in 1969, and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1979, all from Columbia Theological Seminary.
Steve was a minister in the Presbyterian Church for 54 years, having served First Presbyterian Church, Williston, FL, Clairmont Presbyterian Church (twice), Atlanta, GA, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church (twice), Kingstree, SC, Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN, and Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA. He retired from the ministry in 2015 and moved with his wife, Catchie, in 2016 to Countryside Manor in Stokesdale, NC.
As a lover of music, especially traditional Christian hymns, Steve researched the history, inspiration, musicians, and lyricists behind beloved hymns. He enjoyed teaching his knowledge of hymns to Sunday School classes, family, and friends. Steve also loved to travel, completing his quest to visit all fifty U.S. states in 2012 when he and Catchie visited Alaska. He also ministered to Christians in Hungary during three mission trips there.
Steve had a wonderful sense of humor, having learned as a child from his mother to laugh at himself and to avoid humor at the hurtful expense of others. He and other pastors with whom he worked often played jokes on each other. His growing circle of humorous colleagues, family, and friends became known, by Steve, as the “ministry of aggravation”.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Stephen McQueen and Mary Peck (Hay) Huntley. He is survived by his wife, Catherine “Catchie” (Hambright) Huntley, and his children: Catherine Renee Huntley, of Knoxville, TN, Stephen Jay Huntley and wife Brenda, of Niceville, FL, and Marian Frances Hogan and husband Pat, of Summerfield, NC. He has six surviving grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “Hoppy”: Stephen, Evan, and Lane Huntley, and Taylor, Ellie, and Anna Hogan.
Steve will be inurned at Grover Cemetery, Grover, NC on August 5, 2023. A service will be held to honor his memory on August 4, 2023 with the visitation at 2:00 p.m. followed by the 3:00 p.m. service at Forbis and Dick Stokesdale Chapel, Stokesdale, NC, officiated by Rev. Dr. Marti Hazelrigg. Steve’s family and friends are invited to attend the memorial.
In lieu of flowers, please make any memorials to Lifelong Buddies dog and cat rescue, P.O, Box 7048, Maryville, TN, 37802, Paypal: lifelongbuddies01gmail.com (please select friends and family).