Jimmy Ray Bufford

Jimmy Ray Bufford was born on February 11, 1945, in Paris, Texas, to the parentage of the late Rev. Addie Bufford and Eartie V. Bufford-Sutton. Reared at an early age by his mother and stepfather, Clyde Sutton, Jimmy graduated from Gibbons High School and attended Paris Junior College.

He was drafted into the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era, serving in Okinawa, Japan, and Pease Air Force Base, the Strategic Air Command Division in Newington, New Hampshire. Upon completion of his military duty, he met and married Lillian Joyce Wilson. The two loved and nurtured Lillian's daughter, June, and they welcomed a son, Marcus, to their union. Jimmy was employed by the United States Postal Service where he retired after forty-four years of dedicated service. 

As a child, he joined Olive Branch Baptist Church. He later attended Good Street Baptist Church and was assigned to the Richardson, Texas, Post Office as a carrier. While carrying mail, he met the late Rev. Jesse Lee Foster, pastor of the Hamilton Park Baptist Church. After many conversations with Pastor Foster and members of the FBCHP congregation, he decided to attend and join the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park. While attending FBCHP, he met and married his wife of forty-three years,  Debra Allen Bufford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers - Frank Walker, Addie Bufford, and Nolan Bufford; and sister, Willie V. Bufford-Mitchell.

Those left to cherish precious memories include his wife, Debra Allen Bufford; his son, Marcus D. Bufford of Dallas, Texas; his grandchildren, Christian Bufford and Aiden Bufford, who were the loves of his life; his stepdaughter, June; his step-grandchildren, Darrian and Derrick; his sister, Linda Williams of Paris, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, many relatives, friends, and church family.

Special thanks to Rev. Earl and Ollie Bill, Larry and Jerri  Hamilton, Rev. Ronald and Evelyn Anglin, Deacon Randall and Annette Epps, Deacon Eddie and Lorraine Douglas, Pastor Eddie  Jenkins, and the Good Street Church family.

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