Bessie Fay Buford

Bessie Fay Buford was born on August 27, 1932, in Cassville, MO, to Wesley Burbridge and Ethel (James) Burbridge.

Bessie is the last surviving member of her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theo Buford; and infant daughter, Linda Colleen Buford; her parents; her siblings, Glenn Westpheling, George Burbridge, and Thelma Williams.

Bessie attended High School one year in Cassville, MO, and three years in Yuba City, CA. She graduated from Yuba City High School in June 1949.

She was very proud that all three children also graduated from Yuba City High School. In July 1949, she married Theo B. Buford. They were married 59 years.

They parented four children, Linda Colleen, deceased at one day old, Sheldon Buford, Alameda, CA, Marvin Buford, Temecula, CA, and Delores Brown, Lynnwood, WA.

They were proud grandparents of eight granddaughters; one grandson; many great grandchildren; great-great grandchildren; and great-great-great grandchildren.

Bessie was a stay-at-home mother for many years then later worked for Yuba City Unified School District for ten years.

Bessie was founder and owner of AAA Childcare, Bessie Buford's Child Care for 35 years. After her retirement, Bessie and Theo moved to Temecula, CA, in Southern California, on September 29, 2007.

Theo passed away in Temecula on October 27, 2008. Later Bessie met and married Kenneth P. Butler, and enjoyed more than 10 years of marriage.

After Kenneth's death, she moved to Lake Stevens, WA, to live near Delores. She passed away November 1, 2025, at Providence Hospital, Everett WA, with family there.

Public viewing will be Monday the 17, 2025, from 10 AM to 11 AM, at Ullery Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond Street, Yuba City, CA.

Graveside services will be held at 2 PM, Monday, November 17, 2025, at Sutter Cemetery, with a gathering afterwards in the Harvest Room at the New Earth Market.

For those who wish, donations are encouraged to the American Heart Association, in memory of Bessie Buford.