Clara Mae Buckley

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CLARA MAE BUCKLEY was born on September 15, 1926, the fourth child of Sim Jackson and Tollie Hamilton in Pattison, Mississippi. She had three brothers,Delmar Leon Jackson, Albert Jackson and Sim Jackson, Jr. She had one sister,Mary Lucille Jackson.

At an early age, Clara confessed Christ and united with the Philadelphia Baptist Church in Claiborne County, Mississippi.

In her youth, she attended Bannerburns Schools in Pattison, Mississippi. Clara arduously farmed and worked the cotton fields with her family in Pattison on the Broomfield Plantation until around 1945, when she moved to Jackson, Mississippi,determined to find employment.

With support from her cousins, the Smith family, she began a new life, working first at Old Southern Tea Room, and then at Hardin's Bakery on North State Street,where she met her future husband, Buford Osenior Buckley of New Hebron,Mississippi.

Buford and Clara were married on December 29, 1950, and by 1954, the couple relocated to Battle Creek, Michigan. There, Buford and Clara joined with First Salem Baptist Church and became the proud parents of loving daughter, Myra Yvonne Buckley on February 21, 1955. Together, the family relocated to Detroit,Michigan in 1965. In Detroit, the Buckleys became members of Chapel HillBaptist Church under Reverend Roy A. Allen.

Clara's life of love through devoted service and commitment was a vocation evidenced by her pursuits. During the early years of her marriage, she was a homemaker, and later gained employment at Community Hospital in Battle Creek,Michigan. After moving to Detroit, she was employed by Homemaker's Services of Metropolitan Detroit.

Clara served faithfully as a member, usher and bookstore assistant for West Side Unity Church of Detroit under the leadership of Reverend Ruth Mosley. Here, she excelled as a student at the Unity School for Religious Studies. Later, she united with God Land Unity Church in Detroit, under the pastorate of Reverend Ron D. Coleman and First Lady, the Honorable Irma Clark-Coleman. There, she gained full membership, and became a member of the Usher Board. During her later years, she attended both in person and online services at Living Waters Church,Detroit, under Reverend Dr. James Moss and Pastor Melanie Moss.

Clara joined and proudly served as an esteemed lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In 2011, she was recognized for 50 Years of Outstanding Service as a Worthy Grand Matron with the Order of the Eastern Star. She also enjoyed community involvement with the Tri-Grand Block Club of Detroit serving as Recording Secretary.

In 1992, she was recognized for 15 years of Outstanding Service by the Executive Director and Membership and Staff Service Committee of CareGivers HomeCare. In 1997, she was recognized for Outstanding Service to God and Mankind as a member of the Usher Board at God Land Unity Church. On October 22,2016, Clara was honored by the Wayne County Commission at her milestone 90thBirthday Celebration.

Her husband, Buford O. Buckley preceded her to glory on December 2, 2003.

Clara was a woman of strong will, pride and character. As a parent and grandparent, Clara instilled values of honesty, dignity, self-worth, resolved determination and perseverance, both in word and through example.

She was optimistically determined, bold, direct and honest. To those who knew her well, Clara was a great listener, friendly, and always ready to help or enjoy a big laugh. It is no secret that after humble beginnings, Clara delighted in fine things. She was meticulously neat and took great pleasure in traveling and shopping. Clara did not believe in quitting and strongly advocated that “hard work is its own reward.” She lamented injustices, eagerly encouraged others and never hesitated to celebrate the successes of her beloved family and friends.

Clara departed this life on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 8:15 P.M. She leaves to cherish and celebrate her, a devoted daughter, Myra Yvonne Williamson Jones of Holt, Michigan; grandchildren, Dwight Williamson II, of Holt, Michigan,Frederick D. Jones II of Des Moines, Iowa, and Yavonna Claire (Buckley-Jones)Sherman of Detroit, Michigan; daughters -in-law, Aiisya (Lowery) Williamson of Northbrook, Illinois and Kimberly (Phongvixay) Jones of Des Moines, Iowa;grandson-in-law, Sterling Christopher Sherman, of Detroit, Michigan; four great grand-daughters, Tatyana Martin and Patience Jones of Des Moines, Iowa, Kayla Williamson and Alayna Williamson of Northbrook, Illinois, one great grand-son,Aurelius Jones, of Des Moines, Iowa; special nieces Falvia Roberts, of Ridgeland,Mississippi and Theodora Shelley, of Flint Michigan and loving grand-daughter in law, Sophie Sherman Chileshe, of Lansing, Michigan.She also leaves to cherish her life, a host of beloved relatives, extended family,friends, caretakers, coworkers and neighbors.

Humbly Submitted,
The Family