Elza Noah William Huffard
1913-1993
Dr. Elza N. W. Huffard: A Legacy of Faith, Service, and Education
During the middle to late 20th century, no name was more synonymous with Christian Education, Mission Work, and church building than that of Huffard. Three Missouri brothers, Elza, Elvis, and Evertt, were known and beloved far and wide for their dedication to the cause of Christ. Many of their relatives to the time of this writing are involved in ministry and education. Only eternity will realize the reach of their inflence for good in all spiritual things.
Elza Noah William Huffard was born on June 11, 1913, in Stoddard County, Missouri, to Roy Henry Huffard (1890–1951) and Mary “Mamie” Lash (1890–2002). The oldest of seven children—four daughters and three sons—Elza grew up in the Mississippi River flats of southeast Missouri, where his father worked as a broom maker. The Huffard children were raised with a deep respect for hard work and the importance of education. During Elza’s youth, the family moved north in search of better economic opportunities, eventually settling in Flint, Michigan, where Roy Huffard secured employment in an automobile factory. It was in this industrial city that Elza and his siblings spent their teenage years.
At the age of fifteen, Elza was baptized by Frank Rodgers on December 10, 1928, beginning a lifelong commitment to the Christian faith. On April 7, 1934, he married Beulah Mae Mayes (1914–2002) of Bernie, Missouri. Their union was blessed with three daughters: Loreta Huffard Rea, Juanita Huffard Jackson, and Janet Huffard Edwards. Elza’s dedication to education led him to pursue academic studies at several institutions, including David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee; Southeast Missouri State Teachers College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Wayne University in Detroit, Michigan; Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and the Philadelphia Psychoanalytical Institute. He ultimately earned a terminal degree, preparing him to serve both in education and ministry.
Elza’s full-time preaching ministry began in Rector, Arkansas in 1940. After 19 months, he accepted a call to preach for the church in Lincoln Park, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, in March 1942. A couple of years later, the Huffard family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Elza helped plant a new congregation. In July 1944, they established the church at 56th and Warrington Avenue, which became their home congregation. After seven and a half years of fruitful ministry in Philadelphia, the family relocated to Searcy, Arkansas, in January 1952, where Elza preached for the Downtown church of Christ. A few years later, they moved again, this time to Chicago, Illinois, where he served the Northwest church of Christ.
In the summer of 1962, the family returned to Pennsylvania as Elza accepted the presidency of the Northeastern Institute for Christian Education, located in Villanova. The institution, founded in 1957, was renamed Northeast Christian College in 1964 and quickly gained a reputation as a center for Christian education in the Northeastern United States. Dr. Huffard served as president until August 1980, when he was named President Emeritus. During these years, the family worshipped with the church of Christ in King of Prussia, where Elza also served as one of the elders. Although the college later merged with the now-defunct Ohio Valley Christian College in 1993, its influence endured through the lives of its students and faculty.
Beyond his academic and ministerial work, Dr. Huffard made lasting contributions as a marriage and family counselor. His wise counsel helped strengthen countless Christian homes. He was also a dynamic preacher, frequently invited to speak at gospel meetings and lectureships across the country. One of the most notable individuals he baptized was E. Claude Gardner, who would later become a long-time preacher and president of Freed-Hardeman College.
Dr. Huffard’s influence was also felt through his writing. He contributed articles to Power for Today, Christian Bible Teacher, Christian Magazine, and Gospel Advocate. He served as superintendent of Shults-Lewis Children’s Home in Valparaiso, Indiana, from 1961 to 1962. Additionally, he was involved in youth ministry as president of the board and director of Rockford Christian Camp in Illinois, beginning in September 1962. From 1944 to 1950, he hosted a radio program titled Back to the Bible on WPEN in Philadelphia, further extending his gospel outreach.
Elza passed from this life September 17, 1993. Burial followed among many of the Huffard and Mayes relatives in the Bernie Cemetery, Bernie, Missouri. Beulah lived another nine years before passing January 2, 2002, and was buried next to her husband.
Dr. Elza Huffard’s legacy is marked by his love for God, his commitment to Christian education, and his deep compassion for people. Whether preaching, teaching, counseling, or writing, he brought wisdom and grace to every task. His life’s work continues to bless generations who were touched by his ministry and example.
—Written by Scott Harp – May 24, 2025
Sources: Ancestry.com; Preachers of Today, Vol. 3, p. 206; Vol. 4, p. 159; Gospel Advocate reports; Newspapers.com
PROFILE
Elza Huffard
Today, I pen these words with feelings of deep sadness. This is the day of the funeral of Elza Huffard who was my father in the Gospel.
His health had been poor recently, but with determination, Elza continued to carry on many activities. Thursday evening, Sept. 16, 1993, he prepared dinner for his family. About 1 a.m. Friday, he was taken to the hospital, and he passed away about 8 a.m. His funeral was conducted Sept. 20 at Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pa.
Had it not been for Elza I might never have become a gospel preacher and a teacher and administrator in Christian education. In 1940 while he was preaching at Rector, Ark., he came one Sunday per month and on Thursday night to my home congregation at Marmaduke, Ark. During that time, he began a training class for three young men. Two of us, my brother Don and I, continued with our efforts and began to preach the Gospel. Don was 13 and I was 15 when we began making talks at church with his encouragement. Our brother, Albert, was younger, but the influence on him at the time likely encouraged him to begin preaching at a later time.
In January 1941, Elza invited Don and me to go with him to the Bible lectureship at David Lipscomb University. This was an exciting week which we have never forgotten.
When I graduated from high school in 1941, Elza presented me a beautiful, leather-bound Oxford New Testament and Psalms. I used it for many years, and now that it is tattered I treasure it. On the flyleaf he was so encouraging as he always was: “Congratulations upon your graduation. May this little book be your guide throughout life. May your future record be as good as your past."
He was a compassionate man as is seen in the letter he wrote my parents when my brother Stanley was killed in action in Germany on March 5, 1945. He wrote:
"I just received a letter from Donald with the sad and shocking news that Stanley was killed in action March 5th. I want you to know that we share with you this sorrow and burden—although I know we can only mildly feel what you feel so much more deeply. I must confess that it is a little bit hard to know exactly what to say, but I do want you to know that you have our sincerest sympathy and regrets that this had to happen.
"However, in this case I feel that there is really a silver lining to the clouds and gloom. You are indeed fortunate that you need 'not sorrow as those who have no hope.' Just think of other mothers who are losing theirs who cannot look beyond to better things in the after-a-while. You have brought up all of them good children— and Stanley was no exception. Although you no doubt hate to give him up, I know you will humbly say to Him who knows best, even better than we know ourselves, 'Thy will be done.'
"I wish I could say more, but perhaps you can realize that these few words do come from the depths of my heart and that feeling as close to all of you as I do that this is more than just the death of another boy, but it comes as a personal shock, too. My prayer is that God will give you strength to bear up under this adversity and may Stanley's life give you comfort and consolation for him and that now he knows a peace which none of us here can ever know until we have to make the journey into eternity."
Elza was no ordinary preacher. He was a church builder wherever he served. He preached at Rector, Ark.; Lincoln Park, Mich.; Philadelphia; Searcy, Ark., and Chicago. When he left the work in Lincoln Park, he arranged for me to preach there during the summer of 1944.
He served as superintendent of Shults-Lewis Children's Home. He was chairman of Camp Shiloh board and sat on the board of NCJC and Timothy Hill Children's Home. He was an elder in the King of Prussia, Pa., church.
One of his greatest contributions was his presidency of NCJC from 1962-1980. He helped keep the college solvent during his tenure. When the doors closed in 1993, it was most painful to him.
Elza was a leader; he was wise and balanced. He was an effective counselor, a successful fund raiser, a good Christian administrator. He loved children and young people. He was optimistic and energetic. His good character, ability and experience enabled him to serve the cause of Christ in extraordinary ways.
He is survived by his wife, Beulah; three daughters, Loreta Rea, Juanita Jackson and Janet Edwards; grandchildren; two brothers, Elvis H. and Evertt L.; and one sister, Evelyn Perry.
As the oldest son, Elza launched out during the Depression when he was already married to begin preaching and teaching and then to get a Christian education at Lipscomb. After this, Elvis and Evertt, followed in his steps. His sisters, Evelyn Perry and the late Edith Smith, married gospel preachers.
I will miss my father in the Gospel. I hope I sufficiently expressed to him how much I appreciated him for what he did for me.
By E. Claude Gardner, Gospel Advocate, June 1994, p.15
Gospel Advocate, 01.31.1952, page 76
Gospel Advocate, 08.16.1962, p.526
Vidette Messenger of Porter County, Valparaiso, Indiana
Thursday, 11.02.1961 p.66
Daily American Republic, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Saturday, 05.17.1969, p.2
Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville, North Carolina
Monday, 04.06.1970, p.12
Bernardsville News, New Jersey
Thursday, 09.19.1974, p.25
The Daily News, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Saturday, 04.21.1984, p.6
The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee
Friday, 08.24.1984
The Daily News, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Saturday, 03.09.1985, p.5-2
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, 09.19.1993, p.39
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Monday, 09.20.1993, p.20-2
Directions To Grave
Bernie Cemetery is the burial location for Elza and Beulah Huffard. Bernie, Missouri lies in the bootheel region of the state. It is about 170 miles south of St. Louis and about 130 miles north of Memphis, Tennessee. Utilizing the GPS below, you can go to the actual spot of the grave. But, the grave can be easily found by entering the lane of the Bernie Cemetery closest to town. The Huffard plot is a little down the drive on your left.
GPS Location
36°40'07.8"N 89°57'47.7"W
or D.d. 36.668830,-89.963250
HUFFARD
Beulah (Mayes) March 10, 1914 - January 2, 2002
Elza N Wm. June 11, 1913 - September 17, 1993
Photos Taken Saturday, 05.03.2025
Webpage Produced -
05.24.2025
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com
Special Recognition: The grave of Elza Huffard was the first of 29 graves of gospel preachers it was my privilege to find during the first week of May, 2025. I had the great blessing of traveling from my home in Russellville, Kentucky to Lebanon, Missouri that week for the purpose of preaching a gospel meeting at the South Hwy. 5 church of Christ. During the week, I stayed on American history's most famous U.S. Hwy, Route 66. Daily, I had the opportunity to travel a number of miles to visit graves of preachers of yesteryear. It was a wonderful week for the gospel, and a blessing for me to stand at the graves of giants in the Kingdom of our Christ.