Katie Huff, a longtime educator for USD 259, turned 100 years old on March 25. Huff received her education from Langston and Kansas State Universities, and spent 25 years teaching elementary schools, including Isley, Stanley, and Bryant Elementary.
Huff’s birthday celebration was somewhat stifled by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was certainly still celebrated. Had family been able to attend, five generations would have come together for her birthday.
Huff had three children: Ruth Huff, Wichita; Doris Berry, New Mexico; and her late son Sidney Huff. She also has 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild and another on the way.
In their absence, her longtime church family – Tabernacle Bible Church – showered her with gifts and laid them at her front door. They brought birthday cards, flower arrangements and a fruit basket. Her daughter, Doris Berry, even helped the online community send her well wishes, with more than 80 people sending their love.
In her church, Huff held many positions: librarian, adult ministry leader, choir, missionary society, children’s dept., hospitality committee and food pantry ministry. In the community she worked as a ceramics instructor at McAdams Center for the Wichita Parks and Recreation Dept.
Huff has been able to influence over four generations of people with her wisdom. To have had such a wonderful marriage and raised her children to be good contributing members of society has been her greatest accomplishment.
Berry said, “We thank and praise God for our mother. Growing up, she was a strict disciplinarian, but it was necessary to get us where we are today.”