Lena M Buckley

Lena Mae Buckley was born in Biscoe, North Carolina on November 25, 1919 to the late Dorsey William Butler and Daisy Coggin Butler. She was the sixth of seven children. All of Lena’s siblings preceded her in death.

Lena grew up in Rockwell, North Carolina and attended a Lutheran School where she only received a sixth grade education. Despite her limited education, her mom taught her how to sew and knit. She became a skilled seamstress, even making her granddaughter, Arlesha a beautiful wedding gown. As a talented homemaker, she enjoyed various crafts and loved gardening. The sunroom of her home was always filled with a variety of house plants. While living in her Senior apartment, she was well known for “curing fresh hams”! Lena even had a Macomb County newspaper article feature her “home-grown watermelon” in the rock garden of her apartment. Lena lived up to the old saying. “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl!”

Lena’s family life and its history always held a special place in her heart. Her home was filled with memorabilia from North Carolina. She loved her entire family and enjoyed recalling pleasant memories with them – especially her loving nephews Marshall Jr., Skip (Ray) and her niece Toni. What joy she experienced as she shared her collection of “black and white” photos with them and others!

Lena moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1938. On April 2, 1944, she started working at Uniroyal Tire Company on Jefferson Avenue. She worked there over 31 years and retired on May 2, 1975. While working at Uniroyal, she met her husband Tommie Lee Buckley. They were united in marriage on April 13, 1974 and remained in this union until his death on November 8, 2000.

Lena was well known for her love of driving and traveling. Even in her later years, she regularly picked up and drove “Seniors” to the meetings, assemblies and conventions. She enjoyed taking many Bethel Bus Trips with the congregation and other long-distance trips with her trusted “side-kick”, Anna Mae Harris.

Lena always had an appreciation for God’s Word the Bible. She studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized on October 8, 1973. She thoroughly enjoyed sharing Bible truths with her family members and others. Her love for Jehovah God and neighbor moved her to become a Regular Pioneer where she served for many years, while attending the East Grand Blvd congregation. She faithfully served her loving Heavenly Father, Jehovah, until her demise on September 5, 2021. Lena will be truly missed by many!

Lena leaves to cherish her memory, one step-daughter, Dora (Rudolph) Bryant; one step-granddaughter, Arlesha Wardrick (Damon); one step-great-granddaughter, Amya “Honey” Wardrick; four nephews: Marshall Butler Jr., Ray “Skip” Miller, Fred Butler Jr. (Jonice), and Gerald Glover (Valeria); one niece, Jean Butler; devoted cousin, Daisy Goodwin; loving caregivers: Catherine Belser (spiritual sister), Olinda Robinson (spiritual daughter), Jenny Augustus (spiritual granddaughter); confidant, spiritual sister and best friend, Anna Mae Harris; and a host of great nieces, relatives and loving friends.