Margaret Lee Buchanan

Margaret Lee Buchanan, 84, passed away from this life and entered her eternal home on April 9, 2020, in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Lee is survived by her son, Brooks Buchanan, and his wife Holly Buchanan; Lee’s daughter, Leslie Buchanan Krager; Lee’s sister, Elizabeth “Beppy” Deaton; and Lee’s four grandchildren: Britt Buchanan Burkhalter (Byron), Ryan Buchanan, Holman Buchanan, and Brody Krager, all who affectionately knew her as “Gammy.” She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Ron Buchanan, who passed away in June of 2016.

Lee was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on September 27, 1935, the oldest of three sisters (Lee, Missy and Beppy). She attended the University of Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics and was a member of the local chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After graduation, Lee moved to Houston, Texas, where she met her husband Ron. After the birth of their two children, Lee and Ron lived in Houston until 1968, when they moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of her loving devotion to her family, Lee’s special calling was as a teacher. While in Atlanta, Lee taught kindergarten children for many years at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. Lee was a devoted wife, mother and teacher, all while raising her children during their formative years in Atlanta. Lee enjoyed teaching and relating to young children, for whom she always had a special connection, whether as mother, grandmother, teacher, friend or neighbor.

In 1979, Lee and her family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she and Ron lived until after Ron’s retirement in 1998, when they moved to Jackson, Mississippi to live out their later years closer to family. Lee continued her love of teaching as an elementary school substitute teacher in Jackson, including at Jackson Academy where her grandchildren attended in their younger years. Lee was a treasured substitute teacher in Jackson during the 2000’s by administrators, students and parents alike.

One of Lee’s most cherished blessings was being an important part of her grandchildren’s lives as they grew up in Jackson. From experiencing the joys of many “firsts” to the joy of seeing her only granddaughter say “I do,” from being at every birthday party and elementary school program to being at every youth and high school game, and so much more, Lee loved being “Gammy” to us all in her many kind, thoughtful ways. Lee will always be remembered for her appreciation of the many small ways that God’s love is expressed and seen in the simple things in life that we often overlook. Whether it is a child’s playful laughter or a cardinal’s red chest puffing out in the light of the morning sun, Lee took notice and was easily moved by God’s subtle expressions of beauty in our world every day.

Lee’s strong faith in Jesus as her Lord and Savior was evidenced in many ways in her life, but none more so than in her unselfish devotion and care for Ron during his later years while still living independently at The Orchard. She truly lived out her vow to love him “in sickness and in health” until parted by death. Lee’s unselfish and devoted care for Ron through difficult times was an inspiration to us all and a shining example of a servant’s heart in action.

A private memorial service will be held at the home of Brooks and Holly Buchanan on Friday, April 10, 2020, to celebrate and remember Lee’s life here on earth, and to celebrate her eternal homecoming into heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.