Clyde Buckner

Clyde J. Buckner, 80, of Daretown went home to be with the Lord after a courageous and determined battle with Leukemia, surrounded by his family at home in the early morning hours of Sunday, December 28, 2008. As in the words of a song his wife and her Bluegrass Gospel band sang many times, “I Saw The Master This Morning.” Born May 9, 1928 to the late Ada (Long) Buckner and Arthur Buckner in Gastonia, NC, Clyde grew up in the Great Smokey Mountains until moving to NJ in 1954 with his wife and two small sons. Clyde retired from General Motors in 1986 after 33 years of service, and for 15 years following at Pilot Oil in Deepwater, where his warm and gentle character touched the lives of many co-workers and patrons alike. He resided on King Street in Pennsville for 30 years, until selling his home in 2005. He was the official driver and sound operations engineer for his wife Verna’s Bluegrass Gospel Band “Strings of Gospel” for many years. Clyde loved music, old westerns, growing Jersey tomatoes and caring for his lawn. He had an enormous pride for the musical talents and accomplishments of his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a member of Sharptown United Methodist Church, and had a father’s love for his pastor Doug Smith. In his gentle, loving and humorous manner was a GIANT of a man to whom a stranger was only a friend he had yet to meet. Loved by all who ever had the pleasure to meet him, he was a devoted man of God, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend. Left to cherish his memory, he is survived by his wife Verna M. (Hannah) to whom he would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on February 28th, 2009. His children, Bennie and Judy (Sutton) of Pennsville, Terry and Lori (Adams) of Carneys Point, and his daughter, Connie Legg and husband Kelly of Daretown, nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one special Princess. In addition to his parents, Clyde was predeceased by brothers James and David and his step-father Linton Holcombe, all of NC. A celebration of his life will b held on Friday, January 2, 2009 at Sharptown United Methodist Church, where friends may call beginning at 9 AM, with the service at 11 AM. Interment will be in Lawnside Cemetery, Woodstown. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ashcraft Funeral Homes, Penns Grove and Pennsville

Clyde Buckner

May 9, 1928 - December 28, 2008