Mrs. Yvonne Joyce Buford

BUFORD, Mrs. Yvonne - Age 91, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, at her residence. The Flint Area (MI) Chapter of the Links Incorporated Service Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM with Family hour immediately following at Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 317 E. Hamilton Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Allen C. Overton Sr., Host Pastor, Associate Minister Anthony Cox, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Association, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:30 AM Saturday. Mrs. Buford will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd, Public Viewing will be held only during the family hour. Yvonne Joyce Smith Buford was born October 2, 1932 in Flint Michigan the youngest of 5 children. She was the Daughter of the late Reverend Henry C. and Willie L. Smith. She attended the Flint Public Schools and received an Associate Degree from Flint Junior College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University and double Master Degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She did 38 ½ years in the field of Education for the Flint Public Schools and did 23 years at C. S. Mott College as a Counselor/Instructor. Yvonne became a member of Canaan Baptist Church/Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in 1953 and served there in various capacities until death. She was a member of the Young Matrons, on the Usher Board and was a member of The Voices for several years. Yvonne initiated the construction of several quilts, a Cook-Book, a Picture History of Members, helped promote several Dinner Theaters/Plays, she led the church on a Mystery Trip and was most proud of the pocket sized member telephone directory. She loved traveling, sending various cards to family and friends and she played Bridge for 50 plus years with the same ladies. Yvonne was a Charter member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Flint Area Chapter of Links, Inc. and had memberships with the Urban League, NAACP and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Needless to say, she had a love for clothes. Yvonne Joyce Buford leaves to cherish precious memories: son, Minister Anthony J. Cox of Flint, MI; daughter, Gina P. (Alvie) Crank of Columbus, OH; step-sister, Czerny (Emerson) Wade of St. Louis, MO; sister-in-law, Lota Guterize Smith of San Francisco, CA; step-daughter, Kitrin J. Buford of Flint, MI; grandsons, Antoine J. Cox, Flint, MI, Ta’Quon Buford of Dallas, TX and Tyrone Cox Jr. of Flint, MI; granddaughters, Alexandria G. Eck (Matthew) and Justice A. Crank, all of Columbus, OH; great-grandson, Antoine J. Cox Jr. “A.J.” of Flint, MI; nephew, Clinton R. (Linda) Scott of Long Beach, CA; special in her heart, god-child, Karen McQueary Davis and Tiara Bingham; a special student, Charles McFadden, who never forgot her Birthday; her church sisters, Mother Bessie Steward and Della Tucker; special family, Rosalind and Ossie Smith; and her saving grace, Mrs. Janice Miller. Yvonne was preceded in death by Parents Reverend Henry C. and Willie L. Smith; Samuel J. Cox (Father of Children); husband, Robert S. Buford; sisters, Rebecca and Pauline; brothers, Mitchell and Henry; grandson, Brandon C. Scales; nieces, Ruth Hatcher, Joyce E. Scott Travis; and a host of relatives and friends.

Mrs. Yvonne Joyce Buford

October 2, 1932 - March 24, 2024