Shirley Buckner

Shirley passed away peacefully into heaven on June 7, 2022.

She was born on February 4, 1935 in Waco, Texas to W. Thomas and Lillian Antoinette “Srovnal” Lewallen. She graduated from Chilton High School. Shirley married her high school sweetheart Benford Lee Buckner on June 25,1954 at the First Baptist Church in Satin, TX. They will soon be celebrating in paradise. Shirley and her family were members of Second Baptist Church, Houston. Shirley loved life and lived it well. Her career began in the mid 50’s with General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco, TX and she retired from Alief Independent School District (Elsik) in Alief, TX. She was once a member of the Red Hat Society and Beta Sigma Phi.

Shirley had many friends and a family that loved her dearly. She certainly kept everyone laughing and on their toes. So many admired her for her beautiful wrinkle free skin and always being dressed to the nines. She attributed that mostly to her years of experience in working part time for Estee Lauder and Merle Norman cosmetics. She religiously used that “pink cream” from Merle Norman and it worked wonders. She was often told she could easily be the “Fourth Golden Girl” and looked like Elizabeth Taylor. Shirley loved cooking, baking, dining out, playing cards and board games, SHOPPING, sharing a glass of wine with friends and traveling with family. She and Benford very much enjoyed trips to Galveston and spending time on the beach.

Shirley’s beautiful family was the light of her life. She is survived by her brother Donald Ray Lewallen and wife Linda of Robinson, her son Marc Allen Buckner and wife Sandra of Pasadena, and her daughter Linda Lee Bennett and husband Kent of Fulshear. Shirley is also survived by three loving grandchildren and four precious great-grandchildren. Grandson, Jason da Silva and wife Kelly of Katy and great-grandchildren Kendall and Carter. Granddaughter, Mallory “Buckner” Wheat and husband Josh of Tomball and great-grandson Barrett. Grandson, Jacob “Jake” Buckner and great-grandson Beau. Also, many very special nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Benford, brother Walter W. Lewallen of Magnolia and sister Delores Antoinette “Lewallen” Jeffrey of Houston.

Her funeral service will be officiated by her nephew Chuck Carpenter. Pallbearers are Jason da Silva, Jake Buckner, Tommy Jeffrey, Joel Lewallen, Ricky Conner, Shane Retzlaff.

A visitation for Shirley will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy. at N. Eldridge Parkway, Houston, TX . A funeral service will occur Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and a committal service will occur from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079.

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