Iota Mae Bufford

Iota Mae Skinner Bufford passed away peacefully on October 13, 2021. She was born in Tecumseh, Michigan, on June 21, 1921, and grew up in that small town graduating in 1939 as valedictorian of her high school class. But she has lived in Tempe, Arizona, for the past 71 years where she raised eight children all of whom attended either Tempe High or McClintock. She is survived by six children: Sandra (Jim) Miller; Patricia (Jerry) Fiedler; Edward (Bobbie)Bufford; Norma (Jack) Joiner; David (Julie) Bufford, and Michael Bufford as well as 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 8 great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her children Bob Bufford and Barbara (Ray) Pool. Iota was full of spunk and energy throughout her life, traveling, attending Diamondback and Suns games as well as ASU basketball and football games, going to senior centers, playing bingo and enjoying lots of live theater. She spent time with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids attending musical presentations, hosting family gatherings, and going to graduations, concerts, and more. In fact, in a story that she wrote about her life after admitting that she was not cut out for the medical field in that she fainted during the first procedure she attended, she said, “I love spending time with my kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and out-laws because you see, my real career was raising my family.” She was honored by the City of Tempe in 2019 and 2021 when the mayor issued a proclamation that declared June 21 as Iota Bufford Day. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pyle Adult Recreation Center with a designation that the donation be used for a new memory wall. There is a button on the website or send a check to Pyle Adult Recreation Center, 655 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282.