Betty Buford

Guymon, Oklahoma - Betty Buford, 91, passed away Thursday, March 27th, 2008 in Amarillo, Texas.

The daughter of Austin W. and Ora Belle Bishop, Alice Marguerite "Betty" Bishop was born January 9, 1917 in Union City, Pennsylvania. After her father's death, she was raised by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Aikens of Cambridge Springs, PA, where she grew up and attended 12 years of school. She then went to Erie Commercial College, and upon graduation became secretary at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. It was there that she met Dr. E.L. Buford, while he was an intern at Hamot Hospital. Betty Bishop and E.L. Buford were married July 26, 1942 in Carlisle, PA. After the completion of his military service, the Buford family moved to Guymon, Oklahoma, where Dr. Buford set up his medical practice, in 1945.

Betty was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Guymon for more than 50 years and she and Dr. Buford were later charter members of Grace Southern Baptist Church, where Betty was always active and involved in church activities. She was a 58-year member of P.E.O., Chapter AM, serving twice as President. Betty and Doc enjoyed their retirement years by spending the summers at their cabin in South Fork, Colorado. They both made friends wherever they went. Betty loved and was loved by life-long friends, new friends and her caretakers that she needed in her recent years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. E.L. Buford, who passed away in 2000. She is survived by her son, Dr. Bob Buford and wife, Beverly of Amarillo, Texas; her daughter, Liz Ward and husband, Tim of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Greg Buford, John Buford, Leslie Buford, Laura Stacy and husband, Matt, and Natalie Ward. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, March 31st from 6:00-8:00 PM at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be Tuesday afternoon, April 1st at 2:00 PM at Grace Southern Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Reese, officiating. Interment will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery. Sign the online guest book at www.hensonnovak.com. Memorials may be given to the No Man's Land Historical Society, c/o Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, P.O. Box 1306, Guymon, OK 73942.