Elizabeth Conley Buckingham

Elizabeth "Betty" Buckingham, 92, died peacefully Tuesday August 8, 2017 at The McLeod Hospice House in Florence SC surrounded by her loving family. Her wish granted, she is now with the love of her life, her husband, the late Captain John E. Buckingham, USMC-Retired. A memorial service will be held at St. Matthews Church 210 S. Main Street Darlington on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends after the service in the Parish Hall at St. Matthews and other times at their home in Lamar, 121 Peacock Row, Lamar, SC 29069. The graveside service will be held at Aquia Church in Stafford Virginia at a later date. All services are being directed by Belk Funeral Home of Darlington SC. Betty was born December 8, 1924 as Elizabeth Conley Spinney in Bangor Maine. She is the daughter of the late Charles O. Spinney and Mercie Conley Spinney Johnson. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother Samuel Charles Spinney, her sisters Serena Beatrice Spinney and Louine(William)Mercie Cotter. Betty raised in Orrington Maine. She graduated from Brewer High School in 1941. During WWII, she worked at a radio station as a radio engineer. In the early 50's, she was employed by Aetna Insurance in Hartford CT. In the fall of 1957, she met the love of her life, John, and they were married six weeks later. They stayed married until his death in 2014. She was proud to be a wife of a United States Marine. While her husband was stationed at Quantico VA, she worked at the Post Exchange (PX) and when John was transferred to Arlington VA, she worked at Drug Fair in Annandale VA. When the family was transferred to Kansas City MO, she was a stay home mother and thereafter was a lifelong volunteer. Betty was involved in several organizations over her lifetime. Early in life, she was a member of the Young Democrats (Maine). She was an active member of Take off Pounds Sensibility (TOPS) until 2009. Betty volunteered at Weyanoke Elementary School in Alexandria VA. She loved working at the school library and was a whiz at the Dewey Decimal System. She was a Choir and Theater Mom at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria VA. She was well known for her custom cakes at cast parties. Once retiring with John back to Orrington ME in 1991, she volunteered at the Eastern Maine Medical Center and was a Troop Greeter at the Bangor International Airport. It was no secret that Betty Buckingham loved to sing. She was involved with several singing groups. In Springfield VA, she was a member of the Wesleyan Singers. In Bangor ME, she performed with the "Y" players and the Sunshine Girls. She was a member of the choir at Aquia Episcopal Church in Stafford VA. She had a song for any situation and always could be heard humming while working around the house. She is survived by her children: Carol (Mike) Ferrer of Manassas VA, Barbara Crawford of Mayetta KS, Janet and Frank Stoda of Lamar SC, John Buckingham Jr. of Burbank, CA, and a special Son-in Law: Edward Crawford of Peculiar MO. Betty also is survived by two special sister-in-laws: Margaret "Peg" Robinson of Woodbury CT and Charlotte (Donald) Buckingham of Newington CT. She was a loving Nana to David (Kay) Batschelett of St. Louis MO, Jessica Crawford of Beaver OK, Jillian(Joseph) Mandala of Mayetta KS, and Erik Buckingham of Leesburg, VA. She also leaves ten great grandchildren and a newly born great great grandson, Izael, of Beaver OK. She also adored all her nieces, nephews and a special cousin Lorraine Whaley of Rochester NH. Betty is going to be missed by her Facebook friends. She spent several hours a day communicating with friends and family on Facebook. She loved the Double Down Casino game and won millions of coins playing the slots. She embraced new technology and was amazed that she grew up studying by lamplight and in her final years could watch live web cams of African Animals on her laptop. She passed down her love of technology to her children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Matthews Church, 210 S. Main Street, Darlington SC. 29532.

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Service

AUG 19. 2:00 PM

St. Matthew's Church
Main St
Darlington, SC, 29532

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