Clemmie Buckner

102 years ago, on September 22, 1918 in Stilwell, Oklahoma, Clemmie Marie (Tucker) Buckner came into this world with a playmate, Cletus Mae. This set of twins were born to Aldophus Lewallen and Sarah Cyrena (Kelly) Tucker. Clemmie was the 8th child of 10 children.

She attended school in the Horn Community and the City of Stilwell. One of the high lights of Clemmie’s high school years was playing basketball. She was the only freshman on the varsity team. During her sophomore year, however, even the love of basketball could not compete with the love of a certain young man, Walter Henry Buckner. She and Henry married on December 14, 1935. Henry liked to say that they “started from the stump” and it was cut down low to the ground. It was also said that their wedding was the sweetest in Adair County. For the preacher was paid with a quart of homemade molasses.

This blissful union of Henry and Clemmie Buckner had 7 children: surviving children – a daughter-in-law: Barbara Caviness Buckner (she’s like a daughter) of Coweta, Oklahoma – one son: Dowell Nathan Buckner of Stilwell, Oklahoma – three daughters: Carol Delores Buckner Bradley and husband Tom of Wagoner, Oklahoma – a set of twins: Shirley “Ann” Buckner Krug and Sharon Kay Buckner Worsham and husband Robert Lynn of Stilwell, Oklahoma – stepson: Billy Guinn and wife Linda of Coffeeville, Kansas – stepdaughter: Linda McGuagh of Joplin, Missouri – daughter-in-law: Pamela Guinn of Bluejacket, Oklahoma – 20 grandchildren: Larry and Dana – Valerie, Tracy, and Dowell, Jr. – Dane, Shane, Chris, Trent, and Tamarra – Clay, Cathy, and Clint – Dane, DeeDee, Stephanie, and Carol Marie – Marianne – Lance and Kenrie. Approximately 59 great grandchildren and still growing.

Clemmie is preceded in death by her parents: Aldophus and Sarah Tucker – 4 brothers: Ivy and wife Dicie Tucker, Marvin Tucker, Harold Tucker and wife Margie, Eugene Tucker and wives Leota and Marie – 5 sisters: infant Goldie Tucker, Edith Tucker Cleavnger, Jewell Tucker Lawton, and husband W.I., Glady Tucker Walker and husband Tom, her twin Cletus Tucker Burks and husband Lonnie. Her husbands: Henry Buckner and R.L. Guinn – one son: Lawrence Mac Buckner – two daughters: Ruby Joyce Buckner Tharp and Gayleah Ruth Buckner Hall Teel – special daughter: Cherry Mantinez – two grandchildren: Clay Bradley and sister Cathy – two sons-in-law: Bob Hall and John Teel – stepson: Larry Guinn – stepson-in-law: Turman McGuagh.

She is a Cherokee descendant. They raised strawberries and were the first to use irrigation in this area.

Her husband Henry was elected Sheriff of Adair County and was killed in line of duty at the age of 40 years. Clemmie a widow at the age of 35, was left with raising her seven children and 90 acres of strawberries to raise in Delaware and Adair County. After 6 years she sold the strawberry farm.

At the age of 41, her inner strength gave her the most kids in college at one time. She enjoyed being a fellow college student with 5 of her children, but her goal was to get her degree.

In 1962, Clemmie with her oldest daughter and her twin girls took to the road heading north to Alaska. Clemmie was there during the big earthquake in “64.” She taught school in a little town called Moose Pass and Ft. Richardson in Anchorage.

She married R.L. Guinn of Bluejacket, Oklahoma in 1969. They lived in Alaska until she retired from teaching in 1977. They returned to Oklahoma where they could enjoy their 10 children and many grandchildren.

This Strawberry Rose, Clemmie Marie, has been a lifetime member of the Church of Christ. As a child she had loving parents and husbands. When I heard the Gospel of Christ, believed, and obeyed it I had a Loving Heavenly Father.

Clemmie believed 1st Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

She trusted Matthew 18:21-22 – “…...Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Clemmie says “I am unafraid!” She prayed all her family and friends will hear the Gospel of Christ, believe it, and obey it, so they too, can be unafraid.