Vanderbilt Buckner Sr. was born May 16, 1926 in Pilot Grove,
Texas the eighth of ten sons born to the union of the late Willie Vernon and Perlie
Tate Buckner. He accepted Jesus
Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 16. After graduating from Terrell High School in Denison, Texas (class of 1945)
he served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.
He graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois in 1952 earning
a B.S. in Industrial Education.
He moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1953 where he began
his career with the Detroit Public School System and became a member of the New
Calvary Baptist Church. He met his
future wife Ida Lee Lambert in the church choir and they were married June 12,
1954. To this union two sons and
two daughters were born Drew, Vanderbilt Jr., Laverne and Felecia.
In 1965 he earned his Master of Science Degree in Special Education from
Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
He was a dedicated educator in the Detroit Public System often involved
in numerous extra-curricular activities with the youth.
He retired from Knudsen Middle School as a Department Head after 33 years
of service.
Throughout his life he zealously supported, protected
and encouraged his family. He was a
member of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A. M., Masonic Order.
Vanderbilt served New Calvary Baptist Church as the head of the Deacon
board for many years and worked unselfishly in many other capacities as a
faithful member until he was called home from labor to rest.
After valiantly battling serious illness he departed this life on January
19, 2002.
He leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his
memory his wife Ida, four children: Drew Lemuel and his wife Renee (Graham), Van
Jr., Laverne Denise and Felecia Dihann, granddaughter Demerious and Grandson
Sa’d, three brothers: Lagusta of Denison, Texas, Lushion and wife Clara of
Peoria, Illinois, Marcus of Sacramento, California, their families and
sister-in-laws Lorene Lawson and Louise of Detroit, Michigan and a host of other
relatives. Vanderbilt leaves us to
join his six brothers who preceded him: Merritt, Kadnezar Sr., James, Cornelius
Sr., Lynn and William Sr.
I am now at home in heaven; all’s so happy, all’s so bright.
There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief are over, every restless tossing passed.
I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last.
The Family
