Lynda Wood Huggins

Lynda Wood Huggins, age 74, of Monroe, Louisiana, died Monday, July 9, 2018, at her residence after battling cancer.

She was born July 22, 1943 to the parents of Otis Emmitt and Mattie Flossie Wood in Monroe, Louisiana. She had one brother Otis Jr, and two sisters, Norma and Wanda. Lynda attended Louisiana State University where she was a Phi Mu and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. She went on to work for Boeing, the Atlanta School System and Northeast Louisiana University as the computer systems manager, where she retired. She married James W Huggins of Monroe on August 18, 1966, and made their first home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. From there, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and finally returned to Monroe, Louisiana to raise their family.

Lynda spent the majority of her free time working on Autism advocacy activities for her youngest son, Jon. She was a 1991 Graduate of Louisiana Partners in Policymaking, administered by the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. In 1992, she established the Northeast Louisiana Chapter of the Autism Society of America, where she served as Secretary and News Letter Editor. Also in 1992, she was involved in efforts to establish a statewide network of family-directed resource centers, specifically for families of persons with developmental disabilities. She served on the Board of Directors for Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana, Region VIII resource center for 13 years. Lynda was the 1993 recipient of the JCPenny Golden Rule Award for exceptional volunteer service, as well as the Quota Club Woman of the Year Nominee. In 1996 she received the Autism Society of America Chapter Achievement Award for the Northeast Louisiana Chapter. That same year, she also wrote a unique cookbook, “Food For Thought,” to increase autism awareness and raise funds for the local ASA chapter. In 2004, she and her husband were awarded the Family Award by the Twin Cities Mayors’ Committee on Disabilities. Lynda served as Chairman of the 2005 Louisiana State Autism Conference. That same year, she was selected as a finalist for the distinguished Blue Cross Blue Shield Angel Award in which $10,000 was awarded to the Northeast Louisiana Autism Society. In December of 2006, she accepted the position of Coordinator of Louisiana Partners in Policymaking. And, in 2007, the Louisiana State Autism Chapter presented her with the Life Achievement Award for her advocacy on behalf of individuals with autism. During this time, Lynda served also on the Human Rights committee for ARCO – a community resource, as well as the Adult Living Options Committee (ALOC). She was a member of the statewide network of parents and professionals who comprise the Louisiana Citizens for Action Now (LaCAN), and was the National Chairman of the Million Dollar Puzzle Committee that raised money for Autism Research through the Autism Research Institute.

She is survived by her husband Jim, her three sons, JJ, Jason and Jon; and four grandchildren, Connor, Carmen, Courtney and Justin. Also surviving her are two sisters, Wanda Teel and Norma Arant.

Visitation will be 5:00PM – 8:00PM, Thursday, July 12, 2018, at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe. Funeral services will be at 11:00AM, Friday, July 13, 2018, at Graceminster Presbyterian Church, Monroe with Rev. Bruce Rux officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe.

Memorials may be made to Graceminster Presbyterian Church or to the Adult Living Fund C/O Northeast Louisiana Autism Chapter 24 Karen Lane Monroe, LA 71203.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com

Mulhearn Funeral Home
Monroe, LA