Edward Mayhugh "Hugh" Teaford's Obituary
Edward Mayhugh “Hugh” Teaford passed into eternal life on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the age of 76. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Mitzi “Grayson” Teaford, son Aaron (Lisa) and their son Ethan of Nolensville, TN, daughter Mandy Cantrell (Matt) and their two children Jack and Ella of Collierville, TN, two nieces Laura Pulvirenti (Checco) of Sicily and children Max and Eleanor, and Sarah Colby (Calen) of Portland, ME, as well as his cousin Ann Teaford Kemp of Osceola, AR and her four children. Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, Beatrice and Edward Teaford, and brother, Jim Teaford. Born in Memphis and raised in Osceola, Arkansas—a place he loved—Hugh’s father trained as an engineer, was a plant manager for American Greetings Corporation, farmed cotton and soybeans, and ran the family’s ginning operation in Luxora, Arkansas.
Hugh graduated from Christian Brothers College in 1970 with a degree in Civil Engineering, and subsequently earned a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering degree from Mississippi State University. During a 50-year career as a civil engineer, Hugh served as Deputy City Engineer for Memphis, and previously as Associate Vice Chancellor of Safety Affairs for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He also ran his own engineering consulting firm, Teaford Engineering Associates. Hugh was noted for his outside-the-box problem solving ability and expertise in water-related engineering challenges. Hugh was instrumental in the design and construction of Big River Crossing, a one-mile pedestrian and cyclist pathway abutting the 110-year-old Harahan Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River and connects Tennessee and Arkansas.
Hugh was a Renaissance man, with many keen interests. He enjoyed duck hunting with his best friend of 71 years, Neal Frazier, raced lightning-class sailboats, was a licensed pilot, built model train layouts, and was an avid ham radio operator and photographer. He served on the Board of the Engineers Club of Memphis, was a full member of the Mid-America Commodity Exchange, and was the founding President of the Railroad and Trolley Museum in downtown Memphis.
Hugh loved his family deeply, but most of all loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a member of Collierville First Baptist Church and previously Bellevue Baptist Church. His smile was infectious, and people went out of their way to remark on his kindness and approachability. Hugh loved good conversation and was a gifted teller of humorous stories.
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