Elizabeth J. Buckingham

BUCKINGHAM ELIZABETH JANE SOWDERS BUCKINGHAM "Betty" On December 7, 2011, loving wife, Mother, Grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many peacefully entered the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, a place she often spoke of lovingly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold George Sowders and Frances Marion Deitrick Sowders, and three siblings, William Deitrick Sowders, Alice Wade Ross, and Claire Louise Merrill. She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, John Daniel Buckingham; five children, J. Daniel Buckingham, Jr. (Cary), David Todd (Mary), Thomas Andrew (Erin), Richard Douglas, and Susan Elizabeth (Anne DePrince); eleven grandchildren, John Daniel, III, Catherine Martin, Brianna Leigh, William Deitrick, Mary Caroline, Anne Elizabeth, David Todd, Jr., Matthew Hunter, Summer Leigh, Brooke Taylor, and Cameron Wade; a sister, Frances Ann Perine; and many beloved nephews, nieces and friends. Betty was born on November 24, 1932 (Thanksgiving Day - always her favorite holiday), in Washington, D.C. She graduated from John Eaton Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Ohio University and George Washington University. While her husband served in the United States Air Force, she resided in Malden, Missouri, San Angelo, Texas, and Tampa, Florida, and returned to this area in 1960, residing in Bethesda, Maryland. Betty led an active life. She served on The White House Office Staff under Presidents Truman and Eisenhower (a lifelong Republican, she had tremendous respect and affection for President Truman). She made her film debut in the 1950's with a small role in a movie that was televised since the 1960's. She served as an Election Judge for Montgomery County, Maryland, and did volunteer work for the Florence Crittendon Foundation. Betty served two terms as Chair of the Landon School Azalea Festival and was the originator of the Landon School Greens Sale. She assisted her husband in his various business ventures. Betty's greatest pride was raising five children. Betty was an avid golfer who won many awards for her good spirit and constant improvement. She loved golf because it gave her an opportunity for "animal watching", a treasured pastime on the golf course or her favorite places, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and the library at her home. She was especially fond of bird watching. Betty was kind and generous, offering support and aid to those in need. She was always concerned about the "little" people in society regardless of their position or status. Betty was a constant hostess to the many friends of her five children and on countless occasions over the years, she opened her home to many of these friends as a haven (or "Hotel Buckingham" as it came to be known) to weather the various storms of life (because of this she has many "adopted" children throughout the country!). In addition to her philanthropic and civic activities she was a member of Congressional Country Club, Annapolis Yacht Club, and the Kiawah Island Club. A lifelong Episcopalian, she worshipped the Lord at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, where she was baptized, St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, and St. Francis Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at Robert A Pumphrey Funeral Home, 7557 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 3001 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, D.C. at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 12, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Landon School for Boys, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, or Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 20850. May the Lord bless Betty and keep her, may the Lord make His face shine upon her and be gracious unto her, may the Lord lift up His countenance upon her, and give her peace. "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27