The Rev. Hunter Huckabay Honored by the University of the South

by Emily McDonald

The Rev. Hunter Huckabay, rector of St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, received an honorary doctoral degree from The University of the South in January.

“A man of compassion, deep spiritual roots and an abiding calmness that settles his friends, Hunter Huckabay represents Christ’s ministry at its best,” the citation given to Huckabay stated.

The Rev. Huckabay has also faithfully answered Sewanee’s call “to serve as a trustee several times, a member of the Board of Regents and on a number of committees. He is currently serving on the board of trustees along with his wife, Prestine. The Huckabays are the first husband and wife team to serve as trustees and represent the Diocese of East Tennessee.

In addition, Huckabay has “responded repeatedly to requests from Sewanee to help those in need” in Chattanooga hospitals.

In 1956, Huckabay received a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Louisiana State University. He received a master of divinity degree in 1969 from The University of the South and a doctor of divinity from the university in 1984.

After ordination as deacon and priest, the Rev. Huckabay served as assistant rector at Trinity Church in New Orleans, chaplain to Trinity School and rector of Ascension Church in Lafayette, La., from 1972 to 1986, when he became St. Paul’s rector. He is a leader and national presenter in Sewanee’s Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) program.

Huckabay’s father entered The University of the South in 1918. His 99-year-old mother, Katherine Herget Huckabay, was among family members attending the convocation in Sewanee.

The Huckabays are the parents of three sons, Dr. Hunter Huckabay III and Caldwell Huckabay of Chattanooga and Brit Huckabay of Birmingham, Ala. They have six grandchildren.