Benny Lou Buckminster
"Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before." - C. S. Lewis
Benny Lou Buckminster’s earthly story came to an end, closing the last chapter and beginning her "Great Story" on May 4th, 2015. She was 84 years young.
Benny Lou Mathers was born on November 1st, 1930 in Enid, Oklahoma to Ben and Elva Mathers. She was the youngest of 4 children, sisters Grace and Mary Ellen, and brother Clay, all being raised on the family farm. As the baby of the family, most of her time was spent emulating and following in her siblings’ footsteps. Benny, along with Mary Ellen (her sister closest in age), spent most of their days sharing chores, playing on the farm, discovering their musical abilities and attending church activities. Her first schooling was at Victor Country School until 5th grade, at which time she entered Enid schools. Her musical background afforded her many opportunities both in and out of school. She was a bandleader in middle school and Enid High’s majorette for several years. She was sought after for countless events for her beautiful solo voice. Even in her last days, she sat on the side of her bed harmonizing with our family to classic hymns.
Benny would go on the marry her high school sweetheart, Jerry Buckminster in 1970. They were married for 38 years before Jerry’s passing in 2008. Benny and Jerry’s favorite season was the fall, when they would support their beloved Sooners. Their dedication to the University led to the financial backing for the construction of the Bud Wilkinson Athletic Dorms, in which one of their granddaughters later lived. Some of the grandchildren channel their inner "Sooner" to be first to stake their claim for the donor-parking pass, which is still in the family.
If you were to ask her grandchildren their favorite "Meme Memory," every one of them would recall visits to Meme and Papa’s house. Each grandchild seemed to describe the same sweet memories; which include swimming parties, homemade tents all over the house, breakfasts that could feed an army (which we kind of were), hugs that seemed to last forever, practical jokes, unconditional love, laughter to last a lifetime...AND COOKIE MAKING. Even though 13 grandchildren are counted as family, Meme has countless others that claim her as their own grandmother. In speaking with others since her passing, many people never knew her given name, because she was simply known as Meme.
As if being a fulltime grandmother wasn’t enough, she had another fulltime job at the Best Western in Chickasha. Benny and Jerry were owners of the Best Western from 1970-1996. Benny served as secretary, accountant, front desk clerk, cook, waitress, housekeeper, event planner, hotel mom and all around head honcho...Jerry signed the checks. Their employees and customers soon became lifelong friends and extended family.
In the last few years of her life, Benny struggled with several health issues. But even in her last days, she kept her sense of humor, dignity and elegance, and maintained her class act. She was a great example of faith, love, and tenderness. A celebration will be held honoring Benny’s life on Monday, May 11th, 2015, at 3:30 p.m., at First Assembly of God in Chickasha.
Benny was preceded in death by her parents, sister Grace, brothers-in-law Virgil and Joe, brother Clay, stepdaughter Sandy, great-grandson Dakota and her high school sweetheart, and husband of 38 years, Jerry (Papa). She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen, son Brad (Kathy), daughter Jan, stepsons Jerry Jr. (Deborah) and Darrell, stepdaughter Cami (Bill), 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Cremation and service are under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.
"Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before." - C. S. Lewis
Benny Lou Buckminster’s earthly story came to an end, closing the last chapter and beginning her "Great Story" on May 4th, 2015. She was 84 years young.
Benny Lou Mathers was born on November 1st, 1930 in Enid, Oklahoma to Ben and Elva Mathers. She was the youngest of 4 children, sisters Grace and Mary Ellen, and brother Clay, all being raised on the family farm. As the baby of the family, most of her time was spent emulating and following in her siblings’ footsteps. Benny, along with Mary Ellen (her sister closest in age), spent most of their days sharing chores, playing on the farm, discovering their musical abilities and attending church activities. Her first schooling was at Victor Country School until 5th grade, at which time she entered Enid schools. Her musical background afforded her many opportunities both in and out of school. She was a bandleader in middle school and Enid High’s majorette for several years. She was sought after for countless events for her beautiful solo voice. Even in her last days, she sat on the side of her bed harmonizing with our family to classic hymns.
Benny would go on the marry her high school sweetheart, Jerry Buckminster in 1970. They were married for 38 years before Jerry’s passing in 2008. Benny and Jerry’s favorite season was the fall, when they would support their beloved Sooners. Their dedication to the University led to the financial backing for the construction of the Bud Wilkinson Athletic Dorms, in which one of their granddaughters later lived. Some of the grandchildren channel their inner "Sooner" to be first to stake their claim for the donor-parking pass, which is still in the family.
If you were to ask her grandchildren their favorite "Meme Memory," every one of them would recall visits to Meme and Papa’s house. Each grandchild seemed to describe the same sweet memories; which include swimming parties, homemade tents all over the house, breakfasts that could feed an army (which we kind of were), hugs that seemed to last forever, practical jokes, unconditional love, laughter to last a lifetime...AND COOKIE MAKING. Even though 13 grandchildren are counted as family, Meme has countless others that claim her as their own grandmother. In speaking with others since her passing, many people never knew her given name, because she was simply known as Meme.
As if being a fulltime grandmother wasn’t enough, she had another fulltime job at the Best Western in Chickasha. Benny and Jerry were owners of the Best Western from 1970-1996. Benny served as secretary, accountant, front desk clerk, cook, waitress, housekeeper, event planner, hotel mom and all around head honcho...Jerry signed the checks. Their employees and customers soon became lifelong friends and extended family.
In the last few years of her life, Benny struggled with several health issues. But even in her last days, she kept her sense of humor, dignity and elegance, and maintained her class act. She was a great example of faith, love, and tenderness. A celebration will be held honoring Benny’s life on Monday, May 11th, 2015, at 3:30 p.m., at First Assembly of God in Chickasha.
Benny was preceded in death by her parents, sister Grace, brothers-in-law Virgil and Joe, brother Clay, stepdaughter Sandy, great-grandson Dakota and her high school sweetheart, and husband of 38 years, Jerry (Papa). She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen, son Brad (Kathy), daughter Jan, stepsons Jerry Jr. (Deborah) and Darrell, stepdaughter Cami (Bill), 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Cremation and service are under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.
Benny Lou Buckminster
"Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before." - C. S. Lewis
Benny Lou Buckminster’s earthly story came to an end, closing the last chapter and beginning her "Great Story" on May 4th, 2015. She was 84 years young.
Benny Lou Mathers was born on November 1st, 1930 in Enid, Oklahoma to Ben and Elva Mathers. She was the youngest of 4 children, sisters Grace and Mary Ellen, and brother Clay, all being raised on the family farm. As the baby of the family, most of her time was spent emulating and following in her siblings’ footsteps. Benny, along with Mary Ellen (her sister closest in age), spent most of their days sharing chores, playing on the farm, discovering their musical abilities and attending church activities. Her first schooling was at Victor Country School until 5th grade, at which time she entered Enid schools. Her musical background afforded her many opportunities both in and out of school. She was a bandleader in middle school and Enid High’s majorette for several years. She was sought after for countless events for her beautiful solo voice. Even in her last days, she sat on the side of her bed harmonizing with our family to classic hymns.
Benny would go on the marry her high school sweetheart, Jerry Buckminster in 1970. They were married for 38 years before Jerry’s passing in 2008. Benny and Jerry’s favorite season was the fall, when they would support their beloved Sooners. Their dedication to the University led to the financial backing for the construction of the Bud Wilkinson Athletic Dorms, in which one of their granddaughters later lived. Some of the grandchildren channel their inner "Sooner" to be first to stake their claim for the donor-parking pass, which is still in the family.
If you were to ask her grandchildren their favorite "Meme Memory," every one of them would recall visits to Meme and Papa’s house. Each grandchild seemed to describe the same sweet memories; which include swimming parties, homemade tents all over the house, breakfasts that could feed an army (which we kind of were), hugs that seemed to last forever, practical jokes, unconditional love, laughter to last a lifetime...AND COOKIE MAKING. Even though 13 grandchildren are counted as family, Meme has countless others that claim her as their own grandmother. In speaking with others since her passing, many people never knew her given name, because she was simply known as Meme.
As if being a fulltime grandmother wasn’t enough, she had another fulltime job at the Best Western in Chickasha. Benny and Jerry were owners of the Best Western from 1970-1996. Benny served as secretary, accountant, front desk clerk, cook, waitress, housekeeper, event planner, hotel mom and all around head honcho...Jerry signed the checks. Their employees and customers soon became lifelong friends and extended family.
In the last few years of her life, Benny struggled with several health issues. But even in her last days, she kept her sense of humor, dignity and elegance, and maintained her class act. She was a great example of faith, love, and tenderness. A celebration will be held honoring Benny’s life on Monday, May 11th, 2015, at 3:30 p.m., at First Assembly of God in Chickasha.
Benny was preceded in death by her parents, sister Grace, brothers-in-law Virgil and Joe, brother Clay, stepdaughter Sandy, great-grandson Dakota and her high school sweetheart, and husband of 38 years, Jerry (Papa). She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen, son Brad (Kathy), daughter Jan, stepsons Jerry Jr. (Deborah) and Darrell, stepdaughter Cami (Bill), 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Cremation and service are under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.
"Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before." - C. S. Lewis
Benny Lou Buckminster’s earthly story came to an end, closing the last chapter and beginning her "Great Story" on May 4th, 2015. She was 84 years young.
Benny Lou Mathers was born on November 1st, 1930 in Enid, Oklahoma to Ben and Elva Mathers. She was the youngest of 4 children, sisters Grace and Mary Ellen, and brother Clay, all being raised on the family farm. As the baby of the family, most of her time was spent emulating and following in her siblings’ footsteps. Benny, along with Mary Ellen (her sister closest in age), spent most of their days sharing chores, playing on the farm, discovering their musical abilities and attending church activities. Her first schooling was at Victor Country School until 5th grade, at which time she entered Enid schools. Her musical background afforded her many opportunities both in and out of school. She was a bandleader in middle school and Enid High’s majorette for several years. She was sought after for countless events for her beautiful solo voice. Even in her last days, she sat on the side of her bed harmonizing with our family to classic hymns.
Benny would go on the marry her high school sweetheart, Jerry Buckminster in 1970. They were married for 38 years before Jerry’s passing in 2008. Benny and Jerry’s favorite season was the fall, when they would support their beloved Sooners. Their dedication to the University led to the financial backing for the construction of the Bud Wilkinson Athletic Dorms, in which one of their granddaughters later lived. Some of the grandchildren channel their inner "Sooner" to be first to stake their claim for the donor-parking pass, which is still in the family.
If you were to ask her grandchildren their favorite "Meme Memory," every one of them would recall visits to Meme and Papa’s house. Each grandchild seemed to describe the same sweet memories; which include swimming parties, homemade tents all over the house, breakfasts that could feed an army (which we kind of were), hugs that seemed to last forever, practical jokes, unconditional love, laughter to last a lifetime...AND COOKIE MAKING. Even though 13 grandchildren are counted as family, Meme has countless others that claim her as their own grandmother. In speaking with others since her passing, many people never knew her given name, because she was simply known as Meme.
As if being a fulltime grandmother wasn’t enough, she had another fulltime job at the Best Western in Chickasha. Benny and Jerry were owners of the Best Western from 1970-1996. Benny served as secretary, accountant, front desk clerk, cook, waitress, housekeeper, event planner, hotel mom and all around head honcho...Jerry signed the checks. Their employees and customers soon became lifelong friends and extended family.
In the last few years of her life, Benny struggled with several health issues. But even in her last days, she kept her sense of humor, dignity and elegance, and maintained her class act. She was a great example of faith, love, and tenderness. A celebration will be held honoring Benny’s life on Monday, May 11th, 2015, at 3:30 p.m., at First Assembly of God in Chickasha.
Benny was preceded in death by her parents, sister Grace, brothers-in-law Virgil and Joe, brother Clay, stepdaughter Sandy, great-grandson Dakota and her high school sweetheart, and husband of 38 years, Jerry (Papa). She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen, son Brad (Kathy), daughter Jan, stepsons Jerry Jr. (Deborah) and Darrell, stepdaughter Cami (Bill), 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Cremation and service are under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.
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See more Buckminster or Mathers memorials in:
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- Oklahoma Buckminster or Mathers
- USA Buckminster or Mathers
- Find a Grave Buckminster or Mathers
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