Bettye Buckner

Bettye Jo Chambers Buckner. 93, was born on December 12, 1931 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late James R. Chambers and Lucille Perry Chambers. She transitioned to heaven on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 11:40 PM.

Bettye grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee where she attended Maynard Elementary School, Beardsley Junior High, and Austin High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church throughout her childhood. After graduating from Austin High School, she attended Knoxville College and later Tennessee State University, where she received her BA degree in Humanities in 1954. There, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Alpha Chi Chapter). Upon graduation, she taught French, English, and geography at Eliza Miller High School in Helena, Arkansas from 1954 to 1956. She came to Columbus, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University, where she received an Elementary Teaching Degree in 1958. She married William V. Buckner in 1960, and to that union had two children; Angela and Sheri. After the death of her husband in 1971, she returned to The Ohio State University and completed her Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1972. She was a teacher in the Columbus Public Schools (now known as Columbus City schools) for 34 1/2 years.

Bettye was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church for many years before becoming a member of Asbury North United Methodist Church. There, she served on many committees; United Methodist Women, Nurture Care, SPRC, and was Financial Secretary of the church. For 15 years, she served as a volunteer for Lifecare Alliance at Asbury until it closed in 2018. As a retired teacher, and an excellent artist, she used many of her skills creating visual aids for Bible School, Confirmation classes, and she enjoyed creating seasonal decor for many programs at the church.

In addition to this, Bettye is most known for maintaining her well manicured lawn and beautiful flower qardens at her home in the Brentnell community. Her children were proud to say they lived in the house on the corner with the beautiful flowers. Bettye made it well known throughout the community that she did not tolerate anyone cutting through her lawn, and her neighbors always commented on how much they loved her flowers, and they admired how much time and effort she took in maintaining her lawn. Bettye continued to maintain her beautiful lawn and cut the grass herself as she got up in age into her early 70s. She was able to maintain many of her beautiful flower gardens up until the age of 88.

Bettye's desire to beautify the community was not limited to just her yard. As a community volunteer worker, she served in the Woodland/Holt organization for 20 years as Hospitality Chair and received an Unsung Hero Award for her services. That award, and her Columbus Public School Bowling Award for 245 high score, were two of her many prized awards.

Although Bettye took great pride in her home, she was most proud of her two daughters. As a widow, Bettye made sure her daughters received an excellent education, and she was proud to watch them receive undergraduate degrees from The Ohio State University, and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, and Ohio Dominican University. She was also proud to watch them get married and have children. Bettye loved her grandchildren, and was overjoyed to attend the high school and college graduation of her first grandchild, Sheri's son Malachi, from The Ohio State University, and she was even more proud when he received his Master's degree. She was equally proud to support Angie's two children as they also earned college degrees.

Bettye was predeceased by her husband, William V. Buckner; parents James Romeo Chambers and Lucille Perry Chambers, and siblings: LaVerne Stevenson, Wiladean Simmons, Shirley Melrose, James P. Chambers, Martina Miller, and Ghentel F. Chambers. Bettye was the sixth of seven children. Bettye leaves to cherish her memory her two daughter's, Angela Buckner and Sheri Buckner; three grandchildren: Malachi (Nickeisha) Mustafa, Piper Murray, Evan Murray; and four great grandchildren: Judah Mustafa, Lilla Mustafa, Shai Mustafa, and Cairo Mustafa, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm with a Funeral Service immediately following at Bethel Temple Apostolic Church, 2840 Lockbourne Road, Columbus, Ohio 43207. Burial will process to Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.

To leave a message of condolence please visit her Guest Book.