Dorothy Buffkin

Dorothy Frances Collie Buffkin, 91, of Cape Coral, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Hope Hospice in Cape Coral. Born December 7, 1923 in Farmville, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late William Cleveland and Elizabeth Estelle (Grimmer) Collie. Educated in Greenville, North Carolina, Tyson, and New Hanover High School and Mott's Business School of Wilmington, NC. She was employed by the Atlantic Coastline Railroad, in Wilmington until her marriage to Elmore M. Buffkin, Jr. on April 25, 1943. They moved to Savannah, GA. where Dot accepted the greatest and most responsible position in her life. She became a mother on January 25, 1944, giving birth to Barbara Elizabeth. Later that year Elmore was drafted into the U. S. Army and Dot moved back to Wilmington, NC to be near her family. They were reunited on his return from the war on July 6, 1946. Elmore's work took them to Bolton, N C where they accepted Jesus Christ and were baptized in Lake Waccamaw by the pastor of Bolton Baptist Church. Elmore returned to the Army and at Fort Jackson, SC, October 8, 1949, Dot gave birth to a son; Elmore Marcel. Now she had two children to compete for her love and care (full time job). After a transfer to Fort Benning, GA in 1951, Elmore's unit was sent to Germany to join NATO Forces. Dot found herself getting two children packed and ready to catch a ship to Germany. Upon arriving in Germany, she became a volunteer school bus mom. At our church, she was a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher and on Sunday nights she taught the adult teachers the lessons they would be teaching the following Sunday. She was a helper in the packing and delivery of food items for the local poor Germans. She assisted in the local American Youth Activity through the church. During these three years she had to maintain a weeks supply of emergency food for her and two children in case of a military emergency evacuation. The family returned to the U. S. A. in 1954 to Fort Dix, NJ, then located in Pemberton, NJ and worshipped in Pemberton Baptist Church. On March 5, 1956, Dot gave birth to another son; Dave Ervin. Now she had three children to care for. However, Dot became very ill during the time she was carrying Dave. The doctor found that she had a malignance that needed to be removed as soon as possible after the birth of the child. She was 83 pounds when she had her first surgery. It took three surgeries to complete the removal. She was under doctor's care for over eight years. They were transferred to Okinawa in 1964. Dot felt good and improved daily. While in Okinawa, Dot was a member of the 1st Military Police Group, N. C. O. Wives Club where she served as Welfare Chairman. They helped supply the needs of local poor and gave baskets off food and clothing to the people of Chatam. June 14, 1966, Dot, with her family boarded a ship in Naha, Okinawa to travel back to the U. S. A., by way of Japan and Wilmington, NC. to vacation with family and friends. Their destination was Fort Lee, VA. They bought a home in Prince George County, VA, later to become Petersburg, VA. Since moving into our home in 1967, Dot began to do volunteer services. One of our neighbors had a physical problem that required her to walk a certain distance each day. Dot walked her that distance each day (except Sundays) for the next five years. Dot found that she loved chocolate pies, so Dot cooked a pie each Saturday during that time. The beginning of 1968 found Dot joining Monumental Baptist Church where she began teaching the 4 year old children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She taught this class 37 years. During that time she served the Walnut Hill Nursing Home with a monthly birthday party. For over 30 years, she prepared the Communion to be served at Communion Services for over 25 years. During her 37 years of faithful service to Monumental, Dot served on the Kitchen Committee, several other committees, and served as a member of the Cast, playing 3 parts, annual Passion Play. She continued to volunteer at the nursing home and a weekly service at Southside Regional Medical Center. Upon relocating to Florida, she and her husband volunteered weekly at Cape Coral Hospital, in Cape Coral, Florida. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Vance Collie, a sister, Jamie Edwards, and son, Elmore Marcel Buffkin. She is survived by her husband, Elmore M. Buffkin, brothers Al Collie, and wife, Niomi, and Dr. Jay Collie, and wife Cindy, sisters, Rosa Cochran, and Maxine Faye Hines, and husband, Bob, son Dave E. Buffkin, and wife Tammy, daughter, Barbara E. Dungan, and husband, Duane, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Oakland Baptist Church, 12601 Prince George Drive, Disputanta, Virginia 23842 with Pastors Robert Livesay and Reverend Dr. Tom LoVorn officiating. Entombment will be in Southlawn Memorial Park, 1911 Birdsong Road, 1911 Birdsong Road, South Prince George, VA 23805. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, March 2 at the Petersburg Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 3935 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oakland Baptist Church Building Fund or Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway East, Cape Coral, FL 33909. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Monday, March 2nd, 2015 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Service Information

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 1:00pm, Oakland Baptist Church

Interment Details

Southlawn Memorial Park