Buford Malcolm Ashley Sr.
94, Columbia
Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Bethel Cemetery for Buford Malcolm Ashley Sr., 94, of Columbia, who died after a lengthy illness on Thursday,
Nov. 23, in Columbia. Bro. Millard Moak of Calvary Baptist Church of Columbia officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. until noon on Monday, Nov. 27, at Hathorn Funeral Home. There was a WWII theme in honor of his service.
He was born on June 15, 1923, and raised in the Bethel Community outside of Hazlehurst with parents being the former Claude and Rosa Ashley.
He attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College before enlisting and serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II in which he served in the supply duty area in the South Pacific Island region for the various service duty requirements of the different military branches, in particularly the Air Force Bomber crews and Naval Destroyers.
After WWII, he graduated from Mississippi State University with a graduate degree in Agriculture. Shortly after, he married the love of his life, Ms. Bernice Izard, also from the Bethel community. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage up until his death. Mrs. Ashley is currently residing at the Myrtles Nursing Center.
He lived and worked in the Columbia area for most of his life up until his retirement from the USDA as a county agent for approximately 30 years. Afterward, he worked for a local bank performing courier operations until permanently retiring.
During his lifetime of serving the farming community in Columbia, he enjoyed gardening, served as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church for more than 50 years of distinguished service, Lions Club member and raised three sons who remember the many fond tent camping adventures he took his family on across our great Nation.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Rosa Ashley; two brothers, Archie C. Ashley and Winford Ashley and one son, Stephen Izard Ashley.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Ashley of Columbia; two sons, Buford Ashley (Melissa) of Kirtland, N.M., Jeff Ashley (Karen) of Jackson; two grandchildren, McKayla and Anna Leigh Ashley, both of Jackson and many nephews and nieces.
Family and friends may sign an online guest book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.
Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
