— Mary Vannah Grisham Husband of Huntsville passed away Friday Jan. 4, 2013, at Huntsville Hospital.

The daughter of Charles Franklin Grisham and Betty Zue Roper Grisham, Vannah was born in Ozark on Jan. 10, 1956. Upon relocation to Birmingham, then to Huntsville, Vannah attended Randolph School from 1963-1971. She grew up riding horses and developed an affinity and love for animals that would stay with her for the rest of her life. She received her colors from the Mooreland Hunt Club in 1972, and was the chairman of the Mooreland Hunt Club Ball in 1990, 1991 and 1992. She became a master of Foxhounds at Mell’s Fox Hounds in 1995, to date. She started her foxhunting career at the age of 8, riding with Mooreland Fox Hounds.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Stetson University in 1978. While at Stetson, she met Floyd Douglas Husband, who would become her husband on June 30, 1983. After Vannah received her master’s degree in special education from Stetson University in August 1983, they returned to Huntsville, where she taught in the elementary school at Randolph from 1984-1987. Their son, Kyle Robert Husband, was born in April 1985.

Along with being an educator, Vannah was also a professional lettering and book artist whose work was displayed in art shows around the Southeast. She was a member of the International Association of Master Penman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting and Lettering, and the president of the Board of the Nashville Calligraphy Guild. She was also an original member and docent at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, where she volunteered with their education program.

In everything she did, Vannah showed the grace of an artist and the heart and patience of an educator. She was a caring and understanding mother, a loving and supportive wife, and a kind and faithful daughter.

Survivors include her husband, Floyd D. Husband; son, Kyle R. Husband of Huntsville; mother, Betty R. Grisham of Athens; and numerous other family and friends.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Church of the Nativity, Episcopal with the Rev. Brad Landry officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery Inc.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mells Fox Hounds; c/o MFH Joy Smith; 900 U.S. Highway 64; Frankewing, TN 38459.