Josephine was a graduate of Eudora High School. She was also a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where she received her bachelor's degree. Josephine received master's degrees from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Prior to her retirement in 2016, she was a 37-year veteran of the Arkansas Department of Education, including 24 years with the Arkansas Department of Education as the first Black Certified Program Administrator for Special Education.
She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta and proud ''Delta Dear.'' She served as First Vice-President of the Southeast District Missionary Baptist Association Woman's Auxiliary. She was a member of Sunshine Chapter #64 and held several leadership positions, including conductress. She served as Grand Lecturer of the Arkansas Royal Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, PHA under the leadership of GWM Flora J Simon. She was also a Silver Life member of the NAACP.
Josephine affiliated with the First Baptist Church in Eudora, AR at an early age under the leadership of Rev. T. C. Clark. She also attended Midway Baptist Church until she moved to Monticello, AR in 1972. While in college, she joined Morning Star MBC. She served as Youth Director, Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, and choir member. She served as President of the Effie Brooks Civic Club for 8 years. She was also an election voting poll worker of Drew County for many years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Levi Benner, Sr. and Velma Benner; her grandparents Louis and Matilda Ingraham, Sid Benner, Charlotte and Elbert Whitaker; (four) siblings: Roy Benner, Robin Benner, Robert Danzy, and James Benner.
She leaves to cherish her memories a loving devoted husband of 32 years, Rev. Darrion Buffington; three children, Desmond D. Jones of Little Rock, AR, Fredrick (Josephanie) Buffington of Atlanta, Ga, Miriam (Charles) Johnson of North Little Rock, AR; five Sisters: Minnie Pearl Milliken, Gloria (Carrol) Benner, Brenda (Donald Ray) Benner, Sharon (Lonnie) Williams all of Eudora, AR, and Sandra Knight of San Diego, CA; six brothers, Levi Benner Jr, of Kilgore, TX, Perry (Vanessa) Benner of Jennie, AR, Wayne (Cherry) Williams of Eudora, AR, Victor Williams of Irving, TX, Kenneth Williams of Little Rock, AR and Michael (Diana) Williams of Little Rock, AR; four Grand Children, Nathaniel Johnson, Asher Johnson, Eliana Johnson and Brielle Buffington; goddaughters, KaBryn Grayson and McKenzie Cowling; God-Niece Shealvyn Denise Herman and a host of relatives and friends who will miss her tremendously.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello. There will be a Wake Friday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. You can sign Josephine's guestbook registry on this page.
Condolences(27)
Stephen and Michelle Gilliam
Monticello, AR Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Rev. Buffington, Our thoughts and prayers are with you, we are sincerely sorry for the loss of Mrs. Josephine.Pastor Bennie & Kawana Yarbough
Joliet, IL Saturday, May 18, 2024 Please accept our condolences and prayers to you Pastor Buffington and family and the Morning Star MB Church Congregation. We will truly miss her. A TRUE Woman of God!Always had a welcoming Spirit a Woman of Strength, Love, and Radiance .So Long my sister "See You In The Morning"!
Michelle Green
White Hall, AR Saturday, May 18, 2024 My condolences and prayers to the family my GOD continue to Bless you all.Bennie and Donna King
Chester, VA Saturday, May 18, 2024 Sending our heartfelt condolences to you and the entire church family. Praying God comforts and strengthens you during this difficult time.With love & prayer Bennie & Donna King
Gwendolyn Arrington
Monticello, AR Friday, May 17, 2024 Sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for the family.Joseph and Cheryl Ivy
Pine Bluff, AR Friday, May 17, 2024 Please accept our prayers and heartfelt condolences to Pastor Buffington, all love ones and the Morning Star Church Family.Lady Buffington’s radiance, strength and unfailing love of God will forever resonate in our hearts.
Marchell Leonard-Smith/Iesha Smith
Selma, AR Friday, May 17, 2024 Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time difficult time.Jacqueline Rachal
Hamburg, AR Thursday, May 16, 2024 Sending my sincere prayers, and love to you and the family during this difficult time . I am here for you ❤️Rev. Dr. Neich Robinson Jr.33° & Sister Carol Robinson
Monticello, AR Thursday, May 16, 2024 With deepest sympathies we extend our condolence to the Buffington Family.Nina Glover
Texarkana, TX Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Condolences and prayers for Rev. Buffington, family and church family. Lady Buffington was a wonderful sister in Christ, a fellow pastors wife and a great speaker. May God continue to bless you all during this time of loss - but heavens gain.🙏Vera Owens
Monticello, AR Wednesday, May 15, 2024 What a beautiful person, inside and out. It was such an honor to have seen her on that Thursday before her demise. We literally had church right there in that hospital, she, her brother and l. She was the epitome of what a Christian should be and she has left a great legacy. I will never forget her. You have our deepest sympathy.Brenda Jacobs
Monticello, AR Tuesday, May 14, 2024 My sweet, sweet Soror. We will be missed. Delta Love.Marilyn Lamb
Monticello, AR Monday, May 13, 2024 Sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to the family.Pastor & Mrs. Dominic R. Mayweather
Camden, AR Monday, May 13, 2024 We are deepened saddened to hear about the passing of Lady Josephine Buffington. She was truly a beautiful soul, and her presence will be greatly missed. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you Pastor Buffington, your family and the entire Morning Star Baptist Church congregation during this difficult time.Stephanie Ray
Monticello, AR Sunday, May 12, 2024 My condolences to the family. I always enjoyed seeing and talking to Mrs. Buffington when she came into Ray’s. You could tell she had a sweet spirit and was a special person. She was always so friendly and smiled. My prayers and thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.Mary H. BILLING
El Dorado, AR Saturday, May 11, 2024 Rev. Buffington, Miriam, and the entire family of Sister Josephine Buffington I send my Condolences and Prayers during your time of loss. We share in your sorrow at this time and will continually lift you all in prayer. The McArthur Billing Family.Jackie Walker
McGehee, AR Saturday, May 11, 2024 Sending prayers for the family. May you find comfort in God's word.Lena Fulmer
Conway, AR Friday, May 10, 2024 I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Jo many years at the State Department of Special Education. She was such a good person. My prayers and thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.Beth Davis
Monticello, AR Friday, May 10, 2024 Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.Debra Lowe Barnes
Crossett, AR Friday, May 10, 2024 Sending condolences to the Buffington Family. Sending prayers for your strength and comfort in this difficult time.Kay Worbington
Monticello, AR Thursday, May 9, 2024 Dear Rev. Buffington & family, I am so sorry for the loss of sweet, pretty Josephine. We were co-workers years ago. She worked hard to make sure her duties as supervisor were done well. She never slighted her duties as a pastor's wife either. I am also the wife of a preacher and was always telling her she did so much more than I in this important position. You have my prayers of comfort at this sad time.Shawn Mitchell
Pine Bluff, AR Thursday, May 9, 2024 A reasonable portion of my prayers are extended to the Buffington family and friends.We pledged Delta Sigma Theta (4/17/2004) and gained 23 additional sisters. Soror Buffington had a contagious smile that could ignite ANY room she entered. Rest well our dear LS.❤️🙏🏾❤️Gwendolyn L Simpson
Crossett, AR Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Sending our sincere condolences to you and the family. Praying God comforts and strengthens you during this difficult time. Love Gwen ❤️🙏Mrs Jimmie Green-Barnes
Heartland,, TX Wednesday, May 8, 2024 My Sympathy goes out to the family of Josephine.I taught her @ Eudora High School and she was such a beautiful , smart and nice young lady. I also knew her parents.
Mrs Jimmie Green-Barnes
(Chick B)
ladonna dodson
Monticello, AR Wednesday, May 8, 2024 I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs Joesphine she was a sweet Lady and Brother Buffington just know our prayers are with you at this time Prayers for your family Sincerley Jessie & LaDonna DodsonPearly Stepps
Pine Bluff, AR Tuesday, May 7, 2024 Sorry for your loss.🥲 praying 🙏🏾 for God to strengthen you during this time.Ruby DeShazier
Pine Bluff, AR Tuesday, May 7, 2024 Sending condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family.🙏🏽 May you find comfort in the word of God. We will cherish the sweet memories of time spent together. ♥️♥️♥️