Celebrating the Life of Samuel Bufford

Celebrating the Life of

Sa muel Bufford February 21, 1935–December 26, 2014

Saturday, January 3, 2015 Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church Whiteville, TN 1:00 pm

Revelations 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Celebrating the Life of

Sa muel Bufford

Saturday, January 3, 2015 Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church Whiteville, TN 1:00 pm

ORDER OF SERVICE Processional Song

Union Hill MB Church Choir

Scripture

Old Testament - Rev. Nathan Gibbs Pastor, New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Middleton, TN

New Testament - Rev. Nahada Gudger

Prayer

Deacon Andrew Jones

Solo

Deacon Jimmie Lee Robertson

Word of Comfort

Rev. Billy R. Johnson Pastor, St. Paul MB Church, Brownsville, TN

Reflections

(2 minutes please) Song Nadine Green

Acknowledgements & Resolutions Masonic Honor Ceremony Eulogy

Pastor Jerry Crisp Union Hill MB Church

Song & Recessional ***No viewing after eulogy***

1935–2014

S

amuel Bufford began his earthly life on February 21, 1935 in Hardeman Country to the late Bessie Bufford-Robertson and the late Mathis “Son” Rhodes.

He made his earthly transition on December 26, 2014 at Jackson General Hospital in the presence of his family to his peaceful eternal home, Heaven.

Samuel Bufford was united in holy matrimony on September 17, 1960 to the late Barbara June Simmons Bufford. To this union, two children were born. For 31 years, he was a loving and devoted husband until her death. On December 24, 1994, he married the late Hazel Anderson Bufford.

They were married 11 ½ years.

Samuel Bufford professed his faith in Christ at an early age. Even when inclimate weather prevented travel to church, Sunday School took place in the Bufford home with his wife and children. He was a caring and inspirational father.

Samuel was educated in the Hardeman County Public School System, where he graduated from Allen White High School.

He then graduated from Tennessee State University, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. Mr. Bufford retired in 1998 after 33 years of teaching in Hardeman County Schools. He later went on to serve nine years (1999-2008) working with the GED Adult Education Program, and taught as a substitute teacher in Haywood County for six years.

He served as deacon, as well as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church from 1965-2002, after which he was named Superintendent Emeritus of Sunday School and Deacon Emeritus. He was an active member of the Senior Choir and served through the Corn Bread & Buttermilk Ministry at Pine Meadows Nursing Home until his health failed.

Mr. Bufford was active in several community and civic organizations, including OES (Morning Star Chapter #56), F&AM Silver Star Lodge #97, Austin W. Williams Knights Temple, Aluzza Temple #169 - A.E.A.O.N.M. Shrine, King Solomon Consistory #132, Royal Arch Masons #143, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (Zeta Alpha and Nu Iota Sigma chapters). He was also a life member of the National Education Association, and held membership in the Hardeman County Retired Teachers Association, and the TSU Alumni Association.

Samuel Bufford was preceded in death by both parents, his wives, five sisters: Edna Mae Bufford, Betty Jane Wilson, Mary Allen, Gussie Harris, and Quincella Sails; and five brothers: Jessie James Polk, Willie Ray Bufford, Otha Ray Bufford, Thomas Earl Bufford, and Jonathan Robertson.

He leaves to cherish memories two loving daughters, Casandra Yvonne Bufford and Dr. Renita Gail Bufford-Jones (Daniel) both of Whiteville, TN; stepson Tony Horton (Rhonda) of Farmington Hills, MI; three grandchildren: Christopher Brian Jones (Atlanta, GA), Daniel Isaiah “DJ�

Jones (Sterling Heights, MI), and Renita Danielle Jones (Nashville, TN); Four sisters: Gertrude Tate, Martha Bufford, Nadine Green, (all in Bolivar, TN); and Pearlie Mae Bufford (Brownsville, TN); One brother: Willie Andrew Bufford of Columbus, Ohio; a special niece who he called his oldest daughter, Dorothy Pearce (Whiteville, TN), and a special nephew, Tyrin Green (Whiteville, TN), who he affectionately called his grandson; Sisters-in-law: Frances Bass (Cowan, TN); Yvonne Finley (Roy) of Romulus, MI; Martha Anderson (Cannonville, MA); Dr. Shelia Anderson (Silver Springs, MD); and Annette Anderson (Toone, TN).

He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who he loved dearly.

One of his last requests was for the Bufford family to be united, trace its family history, and continue to hold its family reunion every year.

My Hero

(Written 12-26-14) For 29 years, I was blessed with one of the greatest gifts anyone could ever ask for.

He was my hero, my father figure, my role model, my mentor, my family’s patriarch, my fraternity brother, an encourager, a motivator, a voice of reason, and one of the few constants in my life. Whenever I spoke to him, I always felt like everything would be okay after hearing his voice.

Today, I had to give that gift back.

He was wise (an educator of over 30 years), had a great witty sense of humor, a strong will, a calm and dignified demeanor, and a lot of determination. Just by being around him, you could always learn something new, or pick up a new way to look at one of life’s situations. It was very apparent that he loved his family and gave so much of himself.

So much of who I am and how I carry myself is because of what I learned from him. This was the man who first taught me to tie my tie, drove me to and from school, and so many other things. He encouraged me to follow my dreams and do what makes me happy when I considered compromising, while at the same time, making sure I knew that no matter how far I go, I always know where home is.

I could always count on him to be there for me. He was a fighter. Nothing was going to keep him down until he was ready to go. Even when his health kept him in hospital and caused him to miss my high-school graduation, he was determined to watch me cross that stage. He made it to both my undergrad and master’s graduations, as well as my two younger cousins’ graduations in the past year. We share the same birth month, though 50 years apart, and I was really looking forward to having a 30/80 celebration next year.

Even though I am sad, I find comfort in knowing that I was able to look him in his eyes and be by his side as he made his transition. I can only hope I live to be even half the great man that he was. We went to see Granddaddy yesterday to take him his Christmas gifts, but I guess God had much bigger gifts in store for him this year. Now he doesn’t have to suffer or struggle with illness or pain anymore. Now all my grandparents are together again in Heaven.

Seeing my hero go from taking care of me since I was born to having to watch him fight for his life and slip away is probably the hardest thing I have ever experienced. I’m thankful for the time we had even though it’s difficult for me to grasp that it’s come to an end. I really don’t know how to move forward at this point, but I guess I’ll take it one day at a time. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

—Christopher Jones, grandson of Samuel Bufford

What is Family?

Why Should We Be?

by Corinthian Hayes What is family? Why should we be?

Entwined with one another, that’s you & me.

Family is the bartender that says That’s enough Family is the drug dealer that won’t Sell me that stuff Family is the old lady with the walking stick Who brought me food to eat, When I was very sick Family is the heart that binds Our heart and Christian mind Fellowship and joy that flows through the years Family is the hand that wiped away the tears Family is the glue that keeps loneliness away Family is the bond that gives hope From day to day Family is the blood that never leaves a stain Family is that person you can call Again and again What is family? Why should we be?

Because God said SO And That’s Good Enough for Me.

Acknowledgments

We are never quite prepared to face the departure of a loved one to eternal rest. At a time such as this, the many thoughtful expressions of friends make the transition easier. The family acknowledges with great appreciation the kindness, love, & concern extended to us during our time of sickness and bereavement. We pray God will continue to bless each of you. —The Family

Pallbearers Barry Hill Brandicus McKinnie John Hill, Jr Leonard Brown James E. Bufford George Jones Timothy Winters Steven Green

Honorary Pallbearers Union Hill Deacons Flower Bearers Nieces Internment Union Hill Cemetery Repast Samuel Bufford Fellowship Hall Whiteville, TN

Professional Services Entrusted to: Dixie Funeral Home 750 Bills Street Bolivar, TN 38008 Program Christopher Jones, SeeJones Creative LLC www.seejoneswork.com