Mary A. Buckner

Judge Mary Alice Buckner

Her Mission, Message, and her Mandate

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born.

And so it was on March 3, 1948, Mary A. Buckner, the fifth child of nine siblings was born here in Columbus, Georgia to the late Reverend Otis and Beatrice Rogers Buckner. She was educated in the Muscogee County public schools, graduating with honors in 1966 from George Washington Carver High School. Mary Buckner decided early what career path in life she would pursue. Her high school yearbook notes that she aspired to be a lawyer.

Mary Buckner grew up in a large family, but none of them were lawyers. She wanted her voice to be heard and listened to in order to make a difference to what was going on in our society. That’s what motivated her. That was her mission.

After graduating from Carver, she enrolled in Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science in 1970. She was accepted into Emory Law School. After completing her first year, she transferred to Mercer University. Judge Buckner received a Juris Doctorate degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1973; the first African American female to graduate from Mercer Law School.

A time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak.

Mary Buckner accepted Christ at an early age becoming a member of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church. She served in the Sanctuary Choir, the Pulpit Search Committee, the Welcome Circle Mission, the Mount Pilgrim Legal Counsel Board and President of the Matrons 2.

In 1975, Judge Buckner began practicing law with the law firm of Bishop and Hudlin. In 1978, the firm changed to Bishop and Buckner, P.C. After Bishop’s election to the United States Congress in 1992, Attorney Buckner formed her own private practice. In February 1984, Judge Buckner became the first African American women to be appointed Judge Pro Tem of the Columbus Recorder’s Court. In 1991, she was appointed by the City Council to serve full time. Judge Buckner made significant contributions to the community through her involvement and volunteer work in organizations such as the Columbus Community Center, Past President of the Columbus Technical College Board, member and Past President of the Georgia Legal Services, member of the A.J. McClung YMCA Board, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a foster parent for the state of Georgia. Her concern for others, especially children, led her to become a foster parent. Little did she know she would meet the love of her life in a special child named Jontell. He made her life complete and brought her joys untold. When the law made him her legal son Judge Buckner and Jontell became inseparable.

Judge Buckner’s bar affiliations include memberships in the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, and Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.

Her numerous honors and awards include; The Tony Baldwin Trailblazer Award presented by the Black Law Students Association Alumni Council of Mercer University, The Barbara A. Harris Award for Service to the Community, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Tau Omega Chapter 2009 Rosa Parks Women of Courage Honoree.

She always advised others and especially young people that a person can achieve any goal with hard work, dedication and commitment. She continued to make strides and create paths for diversity in the legal profession.Judge Buckner strongly believed and wanted her legacy to show that she was fair and yet was able to show compassion on the bench. In her position as a judge, she knew that she had to follow the law but at the same time show empathy and concern for the wellbeing of all. This was her message.

A time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

Judge Buckner attributed her success to her strong family and religious background. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Reverend Otis Buckner, Sr. and Mrs. Beatrice Rogers Buckner, three brothers; Willie Nelvia Buckner Mohammad, Otis Buckner, Jr., and Amos Buckner; two Godsisters, Brenda Blackmon Johnson and Barbara Dowdell-Brown. Surviving her with precious memories are her son, Jontell Buckner of Columbus, GA; one granddaughter, Kassidy Janelle Buckner, Columbus, GA; daughter, Jackie Anderson, Miami, FL; five siblings, Mrs. Queen Esther (Eural, Sr.) Chestang of Albany, GA, Zacchaeus (Dorothy) Buckner of Montgomery, AL, Ms. Agnes Buckner Evans of Columbus, GA, Ms. Hassie Lorene Buckner of Decatur, GA, and Ms. Naomi Buckner, of Columbus, GA; nieces and nephews, Derrick T. (Elise) Buckner, Fayetteville, GA, Kimberly P. (Robert) Buckner Gibbons, Hampton, GA, Yasin Hasaan Muhammad, Atlanta, GA, Eural (Shana) Chestang, Jr., Jacksonville, FL, Carmelita A. (Jomo) Chestang Martin, Panama City, FL, Brandi L. Chestang, Panama City, FL, N. Joseph Frazier, Sterling, VA., Zacchaeus Buckner, Atlanta, GA, Ryan Buckner, Montgomery, AL, Tara (Ronald) Evans Hamilton, Columbus, GA, Vincient (Renee) Buckner, Dayton, Ohio, Deidre Buckner, Dayton, Ohio, Reverend Otis Christopher Buckner, Shreveport, LA, and Taylor Naomi (Tyler) Buckner Waggoner, St. Petersburg; three aunts, Ms. Catherine Woodard, Riverside, CA, Ms. Orelia Williams, Columbus, GA, Ms. Mary K. Buckner, Columbus, GA, two uncles, Douglas (Jessie) Rogers, Columbus, GA, and Jerome Rogers, Atlanta, GA.

Judge Buckner is also survived by her God brother, Congressman Sanford Bishop, her first law partner and Cathy Parker Dunlap; a special and devoted friend who assisted her in many capacities up until her demise.

Judge Buckner had a very special relationship with her first cousins and a host of other relatives, friends and law associates.

A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

.On September 10, 2021 Judge Buckner earned her last honor; “eternity” and is now asleep in Jesus. She was a great spirit among family, friends, and all who knew her. She painted a beautiful picture on the canvas of life as a Christian servant, leader, mother, sister and role model. Rest in Peace Judge Mary Alice Buckner. Alas, this is your final mandate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Buckner family.