Bertha Ann Buckley

Heaven is a little sweeter now as we imagine the arrival of Bertha Ann Buckley, age 85, to her long-awaited eternal home. Bertha passed peacefully into eternity on November 26, 2023. She was born in Anderson, Missouri on January 23, 1938 to L. L. and Josephine Harp.

In 1956, she married  David L. Buckley and for 26 years, she traveled and lived in many destinations across the nation and around the world as an exemplary Army wife. She was the mother of Carol A. Conway (William Buff Conway) and Michael L. Buckley (Donna Buckley) and adored grandmother of Jon Michael Buckley, Benjamin Buckley (Megan Buckley) and Quade Conway (Christa Gerard-Mathews) and Dylan Conway (Emma Conway). She treasured them all, as well as her great-grandchildren, Madison, Dallas and Seth Conway and Annabelle and June Gerard-Mathews.

Following retirement from the military, David and Bertha resided in Washington, DC while David worked for the Pentagon for a short time. They returned to Virginia to be a part of the development of Evangel Christian School at its inception (now Life Christian Academy) where Bertha began her most satisfying career as the school’s Office Administrator. She served in that capacity until she retired at age 70. Throughout those 26 years, she enjoyed many friendships with the parents, teachers, and staff, as well as the multitude of students who she welcomed cheerfully each day from her front office desk. Her kind words, wisdom, prayers, and gentle touch brought encouragement and healing to so many as she ministered in her own unique way.

Bertha dedicated her life to the Lord at a very early age and was always active in her church in the areas of teaching and women’s ministries. Her gift of hospitality and maker of many wonderful meals were highly appreciated at the church potluck fellowships. She and her husband also enjoyed having family and friends over for Sunday dinners for many, many years. After retirement, she was content to put down roots and enjoy life out in rural Dinwiddie County. You could always find her front door open so she could welcome and enjoy the changing seasons and observe all the activity on the farm.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother Leland Leslie and Josephine Harp; her husband, David Buckley; son-in-law, William Buff Conway; daughter, Carol Conway; grandson, Jon Michael Buckley; and all, but two, of her 10 siblings, Glen Harp, Reatha Cooper, Betty Cooper, Doralee Gilion, Alice Holly, Bobby Harp, and Jack Harp. She leaves behind her loving family, friends, and a multitude of relatives across the Midwest including her sisters, Ruby Newell and Earline Harp.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, November 29, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m at Life Church, 16801 Harrowgate Road, South Chesterfield, Virginia 23834. A celebration of life, honoring Bertha will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Life Church with Reverend Michael L. Buckley officiating. Interment will take place following the service at 1:00 p.m. in the Buckley Family Cemetery, 19110 Carson Road, Dinwiddie, Virginia 23841. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is

the death of his faithful servants.”

Psalms 116:15 (NIV)