Lena Ellen Buckingham

Lena Ellen (Fortney) Buckingham

Mrs. Frank M. (Lena Ellen Fortney) Buckingham, 97, of Kirksville, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 1:56 a.m. at Northeast Regional Medical Center Critical Care Unit in Kirksville with her beloved son, Dwight, and her cherished friend, Deb Wheeler, at her bedside.

Lena Ellen (Fortney) Buckingham, the daughter of Curtis Earl and Edith Marie (Dear) Fortney, was born May 23, 1918 on a farm in the Rye Creek neighborhood northeast of Novinger, MO. On November 12, 1939, at First Presbyterian Church in Kirksville, MO, she was united in marriage to Frank Marion Buckingham, the son of Frank M. and Hettie Florence (Power) Buckingham, of Kirksville, MO. Two children were born to this union.

Surviving are one son, Dwight Frank Buckingham, of Kirksville; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Oren C. (Mildred) Fortney, of Kirksville; one nephew, Melvin C. Fortney, of Kirksville; one niece, Linda (Fortney) Gifford, of Hills, IA; one great-nephew, Ross Fortney; four great nieces, Stephanie Kingdon, Carrie Mahon, Rachel Gifford and Erin Gifford; three great-great nephews, Nicholas Curtis Fortney, Jackson Ross Fortney and Gavin Wyatt Gifford and two great-great nieces, Ashlee Fortney and Lauren Marie Fortney. Also surviving are several cousins, including Mrs. Lando (Vera Motter) Scott, who was like a sister to her, of LaPlata, Clyde Motter, Dale C. Motter, of Kirksville and Mrs. Jerry (Donna Parks) Barton, of Clarence.

She was preceded in death by her husband March 31, 2003; her daughter, Cheryl Christen Buckingham, who died at age 18 in an accident June 17, 1963; her father Oct. 30, 1983; her mother Nov. 1, 1985; her brother, Oren Curtis Fortney, April 23, 2013 and an infant sister, Wilma Marie Fortney, Dec. 11, 1916.

Mrs. Buckingham grew up in and around Novinger, MO, attended Rye Creek School and Novinger High School, graduating in 1936. Following high school graduation she studied beauty culture and was associated with the Coed Beauty Salon in Kirksville. She spent her entire married life in Kirksville, with the exception of a period of time during World War II, when she lived in Sparta, Wisconsin and Washington, D. C., to be near where her husband was stationed in the U.S. Army before he went overseas. While living in Washington, D.C., she was employed by the United States Housing Agency. In the 1960's she worked in the First Presbyterian Church office and Kirksville R-III School Dist. Food Service Dept. at Kirksville Junior High. Later she was employed at Newman Center Daycare and Kirby Company. She retired in 1975.

For many years she was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. She also assisted with Bible School and served as Deaconess. When her children were growing up she volunteered with Girl Scout and Boy Scout activities and served as a Room Mother at Washington Elementary School. In 1972 she became a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where she was a member of Christian Women's Fellowship and had served as Vice President of that organization. She also served as Leader of the Lois Circle. Mrs. Buckingham was a member of MacDougall-Lowe Post No. 20, American Legion Auxiliary and served as Chaplain for many years. She was extremely proud and supportive of her hometown, Novinger, MO, and was a member of Novinger Renewal. She always enjoyed attending the annual Novinger High School Alumni Reunion, where in recent years, she was honored as the oldest graduate present.

Mrs. Buckingham was a loving, devoted daughter, sister, wife and mother. She enjoyed her precious memories of growing up on the family farm, being a homemaker, reading, listening to music, flower and vegetable gardening, cooking, canning, baking (especially cookies that she always shared with family and friends), walking, eating ice cream cones and sewing, especially quilting. Frank and Dwight lovingly called her "Miss Ellen" and "The Queen" (of Buckingham Palace). She was very patriotic and dearly loved the United States of America. She was a great peacemaker and often went the extra mile to preserve or nurture a relationship. Her motto was "a winner never quits and a quitter never wins." The main joys of her life were her loving family and her faith in God. She was an inspiration to many, having been a courageous colon cancer survivor since 1999. Her ever present determination, will to live and positive attitude never ended. Even after suffering a broken hip at age 95 in November 2013 and having to spend recovery time at Twin Pines Adult Care Center, she persevered and was able to return to her home to live. Lena Ellen was a gracious presence in the world, one that will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2015 at First Christian Church in Kirksville with Reverend Jim Pitney and Janice Legg officiating. Music will be provided by Cheyrl Newland, soloist and Mary Goodman, organist. Selections will be “Beyond the Sunset”, “Precious Memories” and “The Lord’s Prayer”. Congregational hymn “American the Beautiful”.

Pallbearers will be Melvin Fortney, Ross Fortney, Randy Lumsden, Jeff Fitzgreald, Burt Beard, Ben Beard, Brad Beard and Dr. Jodie Gordon. Honorary bearers will be MacDougall-Lowe American Legion Post #20 and Auxiliary, Linda (Fortney) Gifford, Clyde Motter, Dale C. Motter, Ellen Gillum, Janet Polson, Deb Wheeler, Nadine Lumsden, Tracy Beard, Marilyn James, Dr. Stanley Bohon, Dr. Norman Clarkson, Dr. Arthur Freeland, Ed & Betsy Ross, Mike & Judy Summers, Larry Boleach and Kent Troester.

Visitation with the family will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Highland Park Cemetery.