Josephine Edna McCafferty was born March 4, 1944, to Joseph and Edna (Adler) McCafferty in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Archbishop
Prendergast High School in 1962.

In October 1968, she met Joe Carmon Huckins while he was serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Philadelphia. They were married on June 28, 1969, at St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church in East Lansdowne, PA. After his discharge, they moved to Sturgis, SD. Their daughter, Kerri Lynn, was born in 1971.

Josie studied art at Black Hills State College in Spearfish, SD. She was an artistic woman who used her talent for drawing, painting, calligraphy, sewing and needlepoint. She enjoyed crafts and reading, and was an exceptional cook. She was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sturgis, and served the parish physically and spiritually. She was a member of the Episcopal Church Women, served as treasurer for the parish for several years, and was a delegate to the South Dakota Episcopal Diocese. She volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and Girl Scout Leader, served Meals on Wheels and volunteered for the March of Dimes.

In 1996, she and J.C. bought land near Mud Butte, SD, and built a cabin. "The Little House" was her respite and sanctuary, where she felt at peace and enjoyed watching the baby horses. Being away from traffic, city noises and telephones allowed her to have a God-filled, spiritual patriotism that she treasured. Her granddaughter, Willow, was born in 1996, and she became Mom Mom. The most important thing to Josie was her family, which included her immediate family and the family of her husband, which welcomed her as a sister and aunt when she moved to the Midwest from Philadelphia. She loved her husband, daughter and granddaughter more than anything and enjoyed attending any activities in which Kerri and Willow participated. In the last few years, she took great pride and pleasure watching Willow perform in band, choir, and drama. Josie Huckins, 68, Sturgis, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Survivors include her husband, J.C. Huckins, her daughter, Kerri Huckins, and her granddaughter, Willow Cowherd, all of Sturgis; sisters, Maggie McCafferty, Pompano Beach, Fla., Patricia McLaughlin, King George, Va., and Kathleen (George) Garrick, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and a multitude of brothers- and sistersin-law and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Edna (Adler) McCafferty.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Sturgis Brown High School Drama Club.

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