Lila Frances Lee Buckley

Published 10:56 am Thursday, January 2, 2025

Lila Frances Lee Buckley, daughter of Charles Hooker Lee and Venie Elizabeth Hoscheit Lee, was born Feb. 23, 1931, in the Old Hebron community of Jefferson Davis County, and relocated to see her Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday the Lord’s Day, Nov. 17, 2024, in Ridgeland.

Lila graduated in 1949 from New Hebron High School where she played basketball and was chosen Most Attractive and Most Intellectual.

In 1950 she married James Webber Buckley in Brookhaven, and afterwards they settled at their home in the Gwinville community of Jefferson Davis County.

She was a faithful member of Old Hebron Baptist Church for well over 60 years, with her acceptance of Christ as her Savior in July 1943, and then became a member at First Baptist Church in Jackson after relocating to be near her daughter.

Mrs. Buckley faithfully served Old Hebron Baptist Church as organist for over 40 years, as well as being active in the Women’s Missionary Union and numerous other areas of church and community service.

She was honored in February 2006 with “Lila Buckley Day” in celebration of her service to Old Hebron Baptist Church.

A strong woman of faith who loved her Lord, her caring heart and warm concern for others always led her to do for those in need, and she was indeed, a loving and loyal friend to many.

A wonderful cook, she enjoyed providing for her family many delicious meals at “Lila’s kitchen table.” She was proud of her family and cherished each one dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Webber Buckley in 1976, her parents, and her six siblings; Robert Charles Lee of New Hebron, Kenneth (Pat) Lee of New Hebron, Juanita Lee Rogers of Hazlehurst, Dorothy Lee of New Hebron, Joy Lee Quinn of Flora and Sam Lee of New Hebron.

Surviving her are her son, Mike Buckley and his wife Regina of Hermitage, Tennessee, and her daughter Beth Buckley Aldridge and her husband Ron of Jackson. Grandchildren cherishing her memory are Ryan Aldridge (Rebekah) of Jackson, Jessica Buckley McCoy (Wilson) of Lebanon, Tennessee, Angela Aldridge Beem (Colby) of Brandon, Melanie Aldridge of Hattiesburg and Lydia Buckley Burris (Luke) of Nashville, Tennessee.

Also surviving Mimi are her beloved eight great grandchildren Annie and Tommy Aldridge of Jackson, Caroline and Harrison Beem of Brandon, Everly and Miller McCoy of Lebanon, Tennessee, and Corbin and Leland Burris of Nashville, Tennessee. Other survivors include sisters-in-law, Betty Lee of New Hebron, Mary Willie Earhart of Pell City, Alabama and Betty Buckley of New Hebron, as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers at The Rose Garden in Ridgeland, and especially to Lula Hairston and Dominique Sawyer.

Family graveside services at New Hebron Cemetery on Nov. 21, 2024, were led by Mrs. Buckley’s minister grandson-in-law, Dr. Wilson McCoy.

Homegoing Services followed at Old Hebron Baptist Church, with organ music by Dr. Roy Daughdrill and a Celebration of Faith by Tom Washburn, Senior Adult Pastor of First Baptist Church of Jackson.

Memorials may be made to Old Hebron Baptist Church, P. O. Box 124, New Hebron, MS 39140; or to New Hebron Cemetery Association, 978 Rockport Rd., New Hebron, MS 39140.