Herlie Buford

Herlie Buford, 94, transitioned from her earthly home to her heavenly home on Sunday, November 16, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born to Charlie and MayBell Dean on May 23, 1931, in Oxford, MS the third oldest of five children. She completed her education while in Oxford until she met and married Robert Buford in December 1950. Afterward she moved to Chicago, IL where she was employed as a seamstress with Hart Schaffner & Marx until she retired in 1996. Herlie then took up her most enjoyable experience of being in the flea market.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Her caring spirit was felt by many. She worked as a home health homemaker for a few years then became a home companion Catholic Charities until it's closing of the Northwest Indiana office. Herlie accepted Christ at an early age and when she came to Gary, she joined Delaney United Methodist Church where the pastor was Rev. H. S. Malone. There she served on the Usher Board, sang in the choir, and volunteered with the Kids Club and Food Pantry.
Herlie was preceded in death by her parents Charlie and MayBell Dean, brothers, Albert Lee and Arthur Dean, sisters, Katherine Armsterd and Annie Harris-Brannen, daughter, Garnita Shumaker, grandson, James Shumaker Jr., and niece Susan Gayle Armsterd and best friend Rose Gamble. She leaves to cherish her memories sons, Lamark (Lartice) Buford, & Eric Brown, granddaughter Jenise Shumaker, son-in-law James Shumaker Sr., great grandchildren Timothy (Madison) Stanford, Alicia (Tayo) Akinbote, James Shumaker, Andre Whittaker, Douglas Shumaker, Erykah Shumaker and Alexander Sweetin- Shumaker, great -great granddaughters Kira H. and Janiyah A, nieces Katherine (Charles) Collazo, Zina Smith, nephew Gerald Fogle and a host of other family and friends.
Visitation, Tuesday, November 25,2025 from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. with funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. All Services at Christ United Methodist Church 201 West Ridge Road, Gary IN