Ernest "Boots" Lee Buff

Maggie Valley-Ernest "Boots" Lee Buff, 83, died on Monday, March 5, 2018, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Boots was born in Haywood County on June 15, 1934, to the late Rufus and Estella Trantham Buff. Boots was a unique person, well known in Maggie Valley. He worked in logging, farming and at the Stompin' Grounds in Maggie Valley for over 25 years. Boots was a fixture on the bench located at Soco Grocery where many of the country's issues were discussed and solved.

In addition to his parents, Boots was preceded in death by his brothers, Arthur, Luther, Paul, Sam, and Rufus, Jr. Buff; and sister Thelma Mehaffey.

Boots is survived by brothers, William Fred Buff (Becky) and Way Buff (Anita); sister, Marjorie Ludlow (Bill); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 10, in the chapel of Garrett Funerals and Cremations with the Reverend Jerry Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm on Friday, March 9, at Garrett Funerals and Cremations.

A message of comfort may be left for the family and an online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com