Buford Manuel Maddox was born June 19, 1927, in Quitman, Arkansas to Rev. Walter B. and Minnie Barrett Maddox, the youngest of their eight children, and he passed away Nov. 3, 2019, in Batesville, Arkansas.
In 1945, Buford met the love of his life, Bernice Lape, and they were soon married. They had one daughter, Carolyn.
When World War II ended Buford was sent to Germany where he served in the United States Constabulary for one year.
Buford worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Searcy for many years, beginning with driving a delivery truck and eventually became a plant manager. In 1969, he and his family moved to Batesville where he continued to work for Coca-Cola until he retired in 1989.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Batesville. He had served as president of the Searcy Chamber of Commerce and had been active in the Rotary Club and Lions Club.
He was a man who “never met a stranger,” and he made everyone feel special. He had a good memory and a talent for telling stories from his childhood in vivid detail. He always had a smile. He loved to laugh.
He spent the last year of his life at Wood Crest Assisted Living, where he loved the residents and staff.
Buford is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice, and daughter, Carolyn Biderman; his brothers, Pierce, Barnell and George “Pep” Maddox; and his sisters, Bonnie Lee Maddox, Bronnie Jones, Odell Hubbard, and Mamie Daves.
He is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, Charles “Abby” and Dorothy Treadway and their family, as well as many others who knew and loved him.
Pallbearers are Kevin Jones, Bob Maddox, Robert Simmons, Roger Treadway, Charlie Treadway, and Travis Treadway.
Funeral services will be held Nov. 6, 2019 at the Roller-Crouch Chapel in Batesville at 2 p.m. with Wesley Wren officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Visitations will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Independence County Humane Society, 5 Environmental Drive, Batesville, AR 72501 or to Rotary International Rotary Club of Batesville P.O. Box 2654, 2121 Harrison St. Batesville, AR 72503.
