Tasha O'Dell Buford

Tasha O'Dell Buford, 74, passed away far too soon on December 4, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida where she lived the majority of her life. She was born on April 2, 1951 to parents William Milton O'Dell, Jr. and Ada Mae (Carter Glenn) O'Dell in Oxford, Florida where her family had deep roots, dating back to the 1840s and early Florida statehood. Growing up in a ranching family, Tasha spent much of her childhood helping her father with the cattle and horses, which fostered her love for animals and her formidable work ethic. When she wasn't working alongside her father, she loved competitive horse showing and riding for pleasure.

Eventually, Tasha left her family's beloved ranch to attend University. She later graduated from Florida State University. After graduating, inspired by her experiences growing up on a ranch, her love of Florida history, and her innate sense of justice, Tasha found work with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection where she was in charge of permitting land use projects throughout Florida. While staunchly negotiating a developer's application, his attorney took note of her toughness, remarkable intelligence, vast legal knowledge and unwavering tenacity. That attorney was impressed by her personal and professional conviction, ability to listen thoroughly to others, her respectful yet personable candor, and her strong ethical compass. That same attorney encouraged her to pursue law. Tasha soon returned to Florida State to attend law school where she obtained her Juris Doctorate.

During a time when achieving prestige in the profession of law was both difficult and unusual for women, Tasha was highly successful and would become a partner in her firm. She was a professional inspiration to many women. Tasha worked enthusiastically for Young van Assenderp, even through her pregnancy with her daughter Darien. She built deep and lasting professional and personal connections throughout her career. The same attorney who had noticed her potential and encouraged her to study law, Kenza van Assenderp, would become a trusted mentor, a longtime senior law partner, and a dear friend for the rest of her life. When Tasha wasn't working, she loved being active: bike riding, exercising, spending time outdoors, and traveling. She made sure to expose Darien to as many different places, cultures, and new experiences as possible.

Survivors include her devoted daughter, Darien O'Dell Buford Gallian (Bryan "Levi" Gallian); her adored-above-all grandsons, Rafael Collins and Liam Gallian; her siblings William "Milton" O'Dell, III, and Glenna Taylor (Bill) as well as a host of extended family members. She was predeceased by her parents. She would also have wanted her beloved and faithful trio of tuxedo cats (Sylvester "Sly," Bella, and Gremlin) acknowledged for their years of loving service and would be delighted to know that they've found a new home all together.

Tasha will be remembered by all that knew her for her unique combination of toughness and elegance. Friends and colleagues additionally noted her remarkable intelligence, charm, wit, banter, style, big smile, unique laugh, and earnest sincerity. She was one of a kind and will be deeply missed. A celebration of Tasha's life and legacy will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Wildlife Federation, the St. Francis Wildlife Association, or a local wildlife conservation or rehabilitation organization of choice.

Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.