Greenwood Native, Senator Bunky Huggins Dies
GC: Huggins: He Represented All of Mississippi
CL: Longtime Lawmaker 'Bunky' Huggins Dies at 67
Nine-term Sen. Bunky Huggins (R-Greenwood) passed away today in Jackson, Miss. Senator Huggins will be missed by all.
Mississippi Sen. Robert "Bunky" Huggins was known for his command of such diverse issues as healthcare, corrections and economic development. Huggins died today at his son-in-law's home in Jackson, family members said.
Huggins, a native Greenwood, was 67 and had been battling cancer for over two years. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at the time of this post.
Huggins was serving as chairman of the Senate Corrections Committee at the time of his death and had previously served as chairman of both the appropriations and public health committees.
Huggins served in the House from 1972 to 1984. He was elected to the state Senate in 1984. He represented Senate District 14, which includes parts of Leflore, Carroll, Attala, Grenada, Montgomery and Tallahatchie counties.
Huggins was born in Carrollton on Nov. 12, 1938. A successful businessman and farmer, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi College.
Memories of Senator Huggins
"First of all, he was a friend. There was no better friend than Senator Huggins. As a senator, he loved his district and his constituents." -Beth Clay, Jackson Lobbyist
"He was known for putting the broader interest first. We've worked together on many, many projects. He was probably the most dedicated public servant you'll ever meet. He sacrificed a lot to serve." -Allan Hammons, Hammons & Associates
"We had a scholarship together - we weeded flowers. I called it a 'weeder scholarship.' All I can say is I lost a true friend. I think the community has lost a real good representative and senator." -Steve Scott, College Friend
"He served all of Mississippi. He cared about all the people, not just his constituents. He was the only Republican I would vote for. In fact, Bunky used to love saying that he was the only Republican I would support." -Pann Powers, State Ethics Board Member
"Bunky Huggins and I go way back. I knew Bunky back in 1971. He was running from the Legislature against Estes McDaniels. We've been friends, we haven't voted alike, but we've been friends." -David Jordan, State Senator
"I credit him and his wife, Gerry, as being key supporters. He was very well liked. He had the ability to communicate with people. I consider him the very best type of supporter. I may not have won without him." -William Winter, former Mississippi Governor
"I've been working close with him over two decades. He will be sorely missed. He had a wealth of knowledge. He was a guy you'd like to be around. He had a great sense of humor. He was very supportive of me as a commissioner and even before that." -Chris Epps, State Corrections Commissioner
"He was one of the people who taught me how state government works. He was a great public servant. I will miss him and the state of Mississippi will miss him. He had a vision of where the state needed to go and a whole lot of what I call walking around sense - practical common sense." -Eric Clark, Mississippi Secretary of State
"He was a great public servant and worked tirelessly for the people he served, both in his district and the entire state." -Amy Tuck, Mississippi Lt. Governor
"Bunky was a very likeable and dedicated public servant. He was a leader in state government and a good friend of mine. We will all miss him very much." -Thad Cochran, U.S. Senator
CL: Longtime Lawmaker 'Bunky' Huggins Dies at 67
Nine-term Sen. Bunky Huggins (R-Greenwood) passed away today in Jackson, Miss. Senator Huggins will be missed by all.
Mississippi Sen. Robert "Bunky" Huggins was known for his command of such diverse issues as healthcare, corrections and economic development. Huggins died today at his son-in-law's home in Jackson, family members said.
Huggins, a native Greenwood, was 67 and had been battling cancer for over two years. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at the time of this post.
Huggins was serving as chairman of the Senate Corrections Committee at the time of his death and had previously served as chairman of both the appropriations and public health committees.
Huggins served in the House from 1972 to 1984. He was elected to the state Senate in 1984. He represented Senate District 14, which includes parts of Leflore, Carroll, Attala, Grenada, Montgomery and Tallahatchie counties.
Huggins was born in Carrollton on Nov. 12, 1938. A successful businessman and farmer, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi College.
Memories of Senator Huggins
"First of all, he was a friend. There was no better friend than Senator Huggins. As a senator, he loved his district and his constituents." -Beth Clay, Jackson Lobbyist
"He was known for putting the broader interest first. We've worked together on many, many projects. He was probably the most dedicated public servant you'll ever meet. He sacrificed a lot to serve." -Allan Hammons, Hammons & Associates
"We had a scholarship together - we weeded flowers. I called it a 'weeder scholarship.' All I can say is I lost a true friend. I think the community has lost a real good representative and senator." -Steve Scott, College Friend
"He served all of Mississippi. He cared about all the people, not just his constituents. He was the only Republican I would vote for. In fact, Bunky used to love saying that he was the only Republican I would support." -Pann Powers, State Ethics Board Member
"Bunky Huggins and I go way back. I knew Bunky back in 1971. He was running from the Legislature against Estes McDaniels. We've been friends, we haven't voted alike, but we've been friends." -David Jordan, State Senator
"I credit him and his wife, Gerry, as being key supporters. He was very well liked. He had the ability to communicate with people. I consider him the very best type of supporter. I may not have won without him." -William Winter, former Mississippi Governor
"I've been working close with him over two decades. He will be sorely missed. He had a wealth of knowledge. He was a guy you'd like to be around. He had a great sense of humor. He was very supportive of me as a commissioner and even before that." -Chris Epps, State Corrections Commissioner
"He was one of the people who taught me how state government works. He was a great public servant. I will miss him and the state of Mississippi will miss him. He had a vision of where the state needed to go and a whole lot of what I call walking around sense - practical common sense." -Eric Clark, Mississippi Secretary of State
"He was a great public servant and worked tirelessly for the people he served, both in his district and the entire state." -Amy Tuck, Mississippi Lt. Governor
"Bunky was a very likeable and dedicated public servant. He was a leader in state government and a good friend of mine. We will all miss him very much." -Thad Cochran, U.S. Senator
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