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Mrs. Mildred Marie Willard Buckman Spivey, of 607 Bank Street, Washington, NC, peacefully passed away on March 24th surrounded by her family. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother.

A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Oakdale Cemetery with Reverend Kenneth Hall officiating.

Mrs. Spivey was born May 22, 1926 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. She was the daughter of Elmer Claud Willard and Sophia Wright Willard. She graduated from Tayloe Hospital School of Nursing where she received her Registered Nurse Degree. Additionally, she attended Georgetown College in Lexington, Kentucky, where she enjoyed her involvement in the Sigma Kappa Sorority while pursuing a BSN. Her first employment was at Rex Hospital, where she was born. While a student at Tayloe Hospital, she met and later married James Franklin Buckman, Ill. They had two children, James (Jim) F. Buckman IV and Elizabeth (Bettye) Buckman Nichols.

Mrs. Spivey is survived by her son, Jim Buckman (wife, Kaye) of Washington, NC and her daughter, Bettye Buckman Nichols (husband, Al) also of Washington, and sister, Cheryl Lynn Salter and niece, Catherine Lane Salter of New Bern. Also surviving are grandchildren, Cameron Buckman Schmitz (Frank), Savannah, GA, Sarah Katherine Oden (Stephen), Bath, NC, Elizabeth Wright Nichols, Charlotte, NC, Mariah Buckman Nichols, Wilmington, NC, and Sarah Franklin Nichols Bennert, (Kevin) New Bern, NC. Great grandchildren are Milly Schmitz, Robert Schmitz, Dawson Schmitz, Chandler Schmitz, (Savannah, GA), Stephen Oden and Coleson Oden, (Bath, NC)

Mrs. Spivey is predeceased by her parents, Claud and Sophia Willard, her brothers, Elmer Claud Willard and Bruce Levine Willard, her first husband, James Franklin Buckman Ill, and her second husband, David Watford Spivey.

Mildred Buckman Spivey was a very active member of FUMC, Washington, NC, having served as President of UMW, a member of the Frank Ruble Sunday School Class, Circle leader, Sunday School teacher, Altar Guild among other contributions. Additionally, she was a member of the O’Henry Book Club and the Carrollton Book Club. She served on the Washington City Board of Education for two terms. Unselfishly, she volunteered for The Blind Center, Meals on Wheels, Eagles Wings, and Beaufort County Hospital. An avid gardener, she created beauty in her home gardens on Market Street and also in the Outdoor Sanctuary of the UMC Prayer Garden. An accomplished traveler, she particularly enjoyed her travels with the Friendship Force where she experienced international cultures by residing in host homes, as well as reciprocating by hosting guest travelers. Foremost, she loved her family, and she will always be remembered for her love, strength, and encouragement.

Sincere appreciation goes to the dedicated caregivers, Flora Chavez, Cheryl Mowers, Carolyn Simmons, and Suzi Donis.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 304 West 2nd Street, Washington, NC 27889.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Buckman family.