Mary Huff, passed on May 12, age 73, after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. A trailblazer in Georgia’s public relations industry and respected communications strategist, Mary was known for her strategic storytelling and media acumen. She was instrumental in promoting brands like AARP, Orkin, Hushpuppy shoes and Viking Range, as well as out of the ordinary Southern destinations such as Dahlonega, Ga.
Mary’s 50-year career included roles at The Rowland Company, Dunwoodie Communications, SouthCare Medical Alliance, Fleishman-Hillard, Pineapple Public Relations, and most recently, Laurie Rowe and Company.
Mary’s upbringing in Georgia, under the guidance of her mother, a talented Home Economist, and 4-H Club projects, instilled in her a wide array of cooking, sewing and public speaking abilities. Her lifelong leadership and project skills were honedin GA. and Carroll County 4-H Club activities, resulting in a National scholarship to attend the U of GA in Family and Consumer Sciences Journalism. She also studied at The Fashion Institute in New York City; and the STS Tourism Marketing College in 2017.
Mary launched her communications career in the 1970s thanks to her quirky ability to read upside down. She could anticipate employers’ questions in job interviews. With her 4-H experience, when an in an elite home products executive grilled her, “Do you know how to make a pie?”
She quipped, “Do you mean with cold lard, flour and a rolling pin? Or hot water and oil? Or graham cracker crumbs and butter?”
When competing with tough New York City gals, she cooed. “My soft Southern accent is the perfect voice to represent your South Georgia clothing catalogue up heah.”
She was proud of her work promoting early technologies: laser printers, digitized fingerprinting, and computer marketing. She had a remarkable ability to craft compelling narratives for her various clients and their specific audiences.
Examples: a Dustbuster promotion, convincing New York baseball umpire to clean home plate with a Dustbuster.
Newsweek magazine cover, featuring Parker Brothers’ first electronic toy “Merlin.”
AARP’s Voices of Civil Rights project, with Andrew Young. She researched Civil War descendents, including South America’s present day “Confederados.”
She spearheaded Monopoly’s World Tournament in Monaco. This held special meaning to Mary, as her parents first met over a Monopoly game at her mother’s rooming house in Carrollton, Ga.
She honed her skills in strategic communications as an Account Executive at The Rowland Company. She was a dynamic leader as V. President of Dunwoodie Communications. She generated Wall Street Journal coverage. She advocated for public affairs initiatives in the Georgia Legislature and Congress as Director of Communications and Corporate Communications at SouthCare Medical Alliance.
At Fleishman-Hillard’s Atlanta office she secured widespread media coverage for high-profile clients such as Orkin and Viking Range Corporation.
A travel and tourism PR expert, she promoted Dahlonega’s Christmas tree transport to Lenox Square, golf at Mosaic Clubs and Resorts, plus less busy family vacation spots. part of the Travel Media Meetup initiative, connecting destination sites with travel journalists and influencers.
In 2006, Mary founded Huff Communications. As Owner and Media Relations Specialist, she amplified the voices of leading brands for Pineapple Public Relations and other clients, positioning them at the forefront of public conversation. She was awarded the Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) designation in 2017, as a leading a voice in tourism PR.
Until her 2024 cancer treatment, Mary worked with Laurie Rowe and Company, dedicated to impactful storytelling and the philosophy that every destination has a compelling story.
Mary could flash her beauty queen smile and strike up conversations with anyone, smartly contributing key phrases on ANY subject– from woofers and tweeters to “Animal Farm” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
She loved reading, telling and hearing stories, especially at her annual South Carolina Peden Clan Reunion. She cherished her last residence with a view of the mountains outside Clayton, Ga. She loved and admired long time and new friends, family, and colleagues. She was known as ‘Fairy Godmother’ to niece Carina, a sharp wit to her friends; a mentor to younger associates. At family events she was always the last to arrive. But also the last to leave, talking and helping clean the
kitchen.
Just before her diagnosis, Mary was able to visit her Scotch Irish ancestors’ farm in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (also actor Liam Neeson’s hometown!)
Daughter of the late Jean Coleman Huff and Dr. Perry N. Huff, Carrollton. Surviving siblings: Mildred Huff Coleman (Tom), Atlanta; John R. Huff, Fairfield, Iowa; and Dr. James C. Huff (Paula Ledford), Carrollton. Niece Carina Coleman Smith (Brent) and daughter Aria, of Fort Worth, TX; nephew Nick P. Coleman (Ashley Clark) Ellie and Ivy Coleman, Atlanta; and numerous cousins from Fountain Inn, SC. Deceased sibs: Dr. Joe Huff, infant Sam Huff.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 1:00 pm at 102 Crescent Dr., Lake Carroll, Carrollton, Ga., where Mary and sibs were raised. Although she loved flowers, instead please donate to the UGA Carroll County Ga. 4-H Club (call 770-836-8546).
Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com
Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.