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Josephine Buffington was born October 16, 1953 to Levi Benner, Sr. and Velma Benner of Eudora, Arkansas. Josephine made her transition from life to eternity surrounded by her family on May 6, 2024, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Monticello, Arkansas.
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.
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.