Gussie Rhea Buckalew

Gussie Rhea Harvey Buckalew, age 82, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, after a short but hard-fought battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on March 25, 1941, to Hubert and Helen Harvey of Derby, MS and was a lifelong resident there. She was raised in the Derby Baptist Church where she received her salvation, sang and worshipped with her siblings, and maintained a lifelong membership. She also attended The Barn Church of Poplarville in recent years.

Gussie worked her entire adult life in many different fields until arthritis prevented it at age 80. To name a few, she worked as a seamstress at Movie Star garment factory for over 20 years, was the study hall teacher at Poplarville High School, had an original social media platform by writing a weekly article titled “The Derby News” for both local newspapers, The Poplarville Democrat and The Picayune Item. In her most recent years, she worked as a caregiver for elderly and homebound patients.

Gussie was well known throughout her community and beyond, never met a stranger, loved everyone she met, was an advocate for many that were less fortunate, and even became a foster parent in her 70’s.

She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, William Troy Buckalew; one son, Ricky Ladner; two brothers, Bobby Jo Harvey and Bill Harvey; two sisters, Anona Stewart and Enda Mitchell.

Gussie leaves to forever cherish her memory to her one daughter, Tammy Varnado (Darrell); five grandchildren, Tyler Johnson (Whitney), Chelsey Johnson (Evan Robinson), Rick Ladner (Karen), Keely Ladner and Kayla Ladner; 10 great-grandchildren, Grayson Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, Jayme Sones, Kaylee Sones, AevaRhea "The Baby" Sones, Adiyah, Violyt, Richard "Tripp" Haynes Ladner, III, Trystan and Scarlett; three sisters, Charlotte Pharaon (Kelly), Sharon Ladner (Werlin) and Pam Nuccio (Frank); a host of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Rick Ladner, Tab Bourgeois, Bruce Wiley, David Allison, Darryl Holden and Braxton Smith.

Family and friends are invited to attend Gussie's funeral services on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 for 11:00 am at Derby Baptist Church, 7 Dupont Harts Chapel Rd, Poplarville, MS. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the hour of service. Burial will follow at Derby Cemetery.