Born in Zebulon, Ga. on June 30, 1943, Mrs. Buffington was one of three children born to the late Walt Mangham and the late Lula Mangham of Zebulon. It was in a first-grade classroom in Pike County where she met Johnny Buffington, who stated his intention to marry her almost immediately after they met. The couple married in 1964 and recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They moved to Thomaston in 1968, where they raised two daughters, Traci and Christi.
Mrs. Buffington was a 1961 graduate of Pike County High School, studied business at Young Harris (Ga.) College and earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Mercer University in Macon.
As a beloved educator, she positively impacted the lives of thousands of children and adults in Upson County during her 28-year career. At James R. Atwater Elementary School, she served as a secretary and then as a third-grade teacher before moving to Upson-Lee Elementary, where she taught third grade until her retirement.
Known affectionally as “Memama” to those who loved her, Mrs. Buffington was a long-time member of Antioch United Methodist Church in Thomaston. She was completely devoted to her family and especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends in the North Carolina mountains. She loved to travel, was a talented artist and was an avid fan of the Auburn Tigers. She was known for her gentle demeanor, her kind smile and her tenacious spirit.
She is survived by husband Johnny Buffington of Thomaston; daughters Traci (Butch) Harrison of Thomaston and Christi (Alan) Biddle of Peachtree City, Ga.; grandchildren Kyle (Megan) Harrison of Thomaston and Sara Grace Biddle, Quinn Biddle and Lillian Biddle, all of Peachtree City; brother, Joe (Patsy) Mangham of Zebulon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Evans (Rosa) Mangham of Pike County.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Coggins Funeral Home in Thomaston, with the Rev. Judson Barnes officiating. Burial will follow in Fincher Memorial Cemetery in Meansville, Ga.
The family will receive friends at Coggins Funeral Home on Tuesday, Sept. 6th, from 5-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Buffington may be made to the Upson County Humane Society, PO Box 1152, Thomaston, GA 30286, or to Antioch United Methodist Church, PO Box 1300, Thomaston, GA 30286.
No comments:
Post a Comment