Raymond "Bodie" Buckner

WOODFIN Raymond Arthur Bodie Buckner, 86, of Madison Manor Nursing Center died Friday, December 18, 2009 in Mission Hospital St. Joseph Campus following a period of declining health. Raymond was born in Buncombe County on May 14, 1923 and was a son of the late Fred and Edith Buckner. Raymond was preceded in death by his wives, Ruth Sluder Buckner, Ava Wyatt Buckner and Zeola Hogan Buckner; a brother, Ralph Buckner and a sister, Elizabeth Williams. Raymond was a long time member of Newbridge Baptist Church and later Ivy Hill Baptist Church. He was a member of the Lions Club. Raymond was a U.S. Army veteran, having proudly served his country during WWII. Raymond loved his church family at Ivy Hill Baptist and his greatest joy was a visit from small children. He is survived by two nephews, Bruce Buckner and his wife, Judy; Dale Buckner and his wife, Ann and a niece, Carolyn Williams-Hood and her husband, Rick; two grand nieces, a grand nephew and three great grand nieces. The funeral service is scheduled for 11 A.M. on Wednesday, December 23rd in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory. Memorial donations may be made to Eliada Homes for Children, 2 Crompton Drive, Asheville, NC 28806 or to CarePartners Hospice and Palliative Care, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Raymonds family would like to express their appreciation to all the staff at Madison Manor Nursing Center in Mars Hill for their loving care for Raymond during the past two years. A special thanks to his nurse at St. Joseph Campus, Brooke Buckner, for her extraordinary compassion for patient and family during Raymonds final moments.