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The Town of Andrews lost a beloved person this month whose presence always portrayed the epitome of a southern lady. Virginia Conley Wood Huls passed away and was the last of the two couples who established Huls and Bettis Furniture. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Allen Huls, and their partners, J.B. and Brenda Bettis.
Virginia was born April 12, 1924, and was one of four children born to Charles and Jessie Conley Wood, all of whom made a great contribution to the Town of Andrews. Her brothers were Charles Burke Wood and Lynn Gordon Wood. Burke owned and operated Wood’s Supermarket at the east end of town, which was like a one stop shopping from groceries to hardware. His motto was, “If we don’t have it, and we can’t get it, you don’t need it.” He also had a sign up near his mailbox that said Burke and Betty Wood and Splinters.
Virginia’s brother, Lynn, was employed at the Andrews Post Office. And her sister, Catherine Louise Wood Trull, owned a fabric shop on the corner of Locust and Main streets, the same family building where “Maw” Wood had a cafe in the 1950s and 1960s, and the place that Elvis Presley and his band stopped in to get a hamburger and fries. He told Maw Wood they were on their way to the Louisiana Hayride. This family was a vital part of the Andrews economy.
Virginia and Cliff were married in 1941, and they had two children, Larry Allen and Michael Edward. Larry was employed at Tri-County Community College for several years. Michael married Claudia Schuyler from Murphy, and they had one son, Jeffery Michael, who was the only grandchild and the light of Virginia’s world.
I worked at Nichols Department Store during Christmas when I was in high school and after I graduated. I remember Virginia coming into the store on Saturdays, and she was always dressed elegantly and was so gracious, we all loved her. Not only did she dazzle you with her smile, she made sure she spoke to everyone and made you seem special.
“She was a good cook,” Claudia said. “She taught me how to knit and to do needlepoint. The whole family was talented. Cliff made beautiful furniture, and Mike was a master cabinet maker.”
Virginia loved art work and had a collection of oil paintings by local artists, like Faye Ledford and Dorothy Pullium.
Virginia not only lost the love of her life, Cliff Huls, she lost her youngest son, Michael, several years ago, and then her older son, Larry. Through all her trials and tribulations, she remained the perfect lady with a beautiful smile.
Don’t weep for me, she would have said, my life has been full of joys, Cliff met me at heaven’s gate and we’re walking with our boys.
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 828-361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.