Rita Rena Buckner

Rita Rena (Payne) Buckner, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunty, and friend was born to Haywood and Vivian (Johnson) Payne on November 4, 1955 in Jackson, Michigan. Rita accepted the Lord at an early age, at Second Missionary Baptist Church. She sang in the choir and served on the Junior Usher Board. She attended Jackson High School and after graduating, went on to marry the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Charles Linn Buckner. Rita and Linn were married on November 10, 1973, and shared 52 loving years together until she transitioned from this life on January 23, 2026, at the U of M Samuel & Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while surrounded by family.

Rita retired from the Osteopathic Hospital after more than 25 years of service. She enjoyed bowling in a league for many years until having to yield due to physical limitations. Rita was artistic, had a love for music, movies, a special interest in sports cars and was a great cook who made a mean barbeque sauce. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Rita was a good listener, and had a special way of always sharing encouraging words of support. She had a great sense of humor and her laugh could easily fill a room. She was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Rita was preceded in death by her father, Haywood Payne Sr. and brother Haywood Payne Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted husband Charles Linn Buckner, daughter, Shena (Gerrad) Buckner, son, Charles Broderick (Stephanie) Buckner, grandchildren, Alexis, Isaiah, Vanessa, Amani, Walter, Jayda, Yaysmin, and Lyric, great-grandson Demeco, mother, Vivian Payne, sister, Jacqueline (Mark) Arnold, brother, Charles Payne, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

A Memorial Service will be held at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 304 E. Prospect Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203 on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 12 Noon. Family Hour from 11 to 12 Noon at the church.