Luther Benjamin Buckley

1923 - 2017

Luther B. Buckley

Jackson

AT 12:00 NOON TODAY,family and friends of Luther B. Buckley will gather at Central United Methodist Church, 500 North Farish Street, for his homegoing celebration. Burial will follow in Garden Memorial Park, Collins Funeral Home is handling arrangements

Luther Benjamin Buckley was born to the union of Luther and Julia Buckley in Jackson, Mississippi on March 2, 1923 and made his transition on August 14, 2017. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Ruby, and beloved wife of 64 years, Dr. Cozetta White Buckley. Although his father, a local businessman, was a native Jacksonian, his mother was from Brookhaven, Mississippi. He began his early education at St. Mark's Episcopal School and completed his elementary school education at Smith Robertson Elementary School and his secondary school education at Lanier High School.

Upon graduation from Lanier, Mr. Buckley enlisted in the United States Army where he served most of his enlistment in the European Theater of Operations with the Third Army. After completing his tour of duty, he returned to Jackson and entered Jackson State University, which was then Jackson College, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in education. While at Jackson State, he met and upon graduation married Cozetta, who became the love of his life, partner and best friend.

He received the Master of Arts Degree in secondary school education from Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He did further study at Atlanta University, in Atlanta, Georgia; the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma; Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi; and Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.

Mr. Buckley's professional experiences began in the Leflore County Public School District where he served as principal of Browning Elementary School and later as principal of Balkin Vocational High School. His wife worked alongside him at both of those institutions. He returned to Jackson, where he served as principal of Brinkley Elementary-Junior High School for one year and as principal of Lanier for 31 years, retiring in 1987.

A long-standing member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Mississippi Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association for Supervision and Curriculum Management, Mr. Buckley was also on the board of directors of the Mississippi High School Activities Association, the Magnolia High School Activities Association, the Mississippi Secondary School Principals Association, the American Red Cross, Jackson State University Athletic Affairs and the Mississippi Retired Public Employees Association.

A highlight in his professional career came when he was selected as a member of the Danforth School Administrators Fellowship Program. This provided Mr. Buckley with many opportunities to observe outstanding academic programs and to participate in numerous seminars throughout the United States.

Television Station WLBT honored him with its "Spirit of Mississippi Award" for his educational contribution to the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi. Over the years, Mr. Buckley made a positive difference in thousands of young lives and mentored hundreds of professional educators.

Mr. Buckley was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Phi Delta Kappa Professional Education Fraternity. For more than 60 years, he was a member of Central United Methodist Church, where he served in various capacities, including chairman of the Trustee Board and chair of the Stewardship Committee.

In addition to his extensive professional and volunteer work, Mr. Buckley found the time to travel with Dr. Buckley and support her in her many voluntary leadership roles with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the United Methodist Women and the Links, Incorporated. In fact, he found particular joy in being a "Connecting Link" and fellowshipping with other Link husbands who supported their wives' participation in the organization's philanthropic activities.

Mr. and Mrs. Buckley had two children - Barbara Buckley Washington of East Point, GA, and Luther Benjamin Buckley, IV (Aledria) of Apple Valley, MN; seven granddaughters - Jennifer Baker of Jackson, MS, Lynn Washington, East Point, GA, Celia Washington Cherry (Christopher) of Marietta, GA, Janelle Houston of Mobile, AL, Michelyn Johnson (Gary), Vashawn Buckley and Jocelyn Buckley of Denver, CO; two grandsons - Arthur Michael Washington, Jr. and Telique E. Morris, both of East Point, GA; and six great-grandchildren - Victoria Baker of Jackson, MS, Michael Hobley, Mireya Drinkard, Maia Johnson, Mason Johnson and Massai Johnson, all of Denver, CO; nieces, Rhonda J. Williams of Chicago, IL. and Elizabeth Williams of Oakland, CA, and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Luther B. and Cozetta W. Buckley Endowed Scholarship at Jackson State University. The scholarship will be used to pay for tuition, textbooks, supplies and other fees included in the cost of education for eligible graduates of Lanier High School, enrolled full-time at the University. Tax deductible donations may be mailed to JSU Development Foundation, Post Office Box 17144, Jackson, Mississippi 39217.