H.J. Buckles, 87, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, August 15, 2016, from Sycamore Shoals Hospital. H.J. was born in Carter County to the late Frank “F.T.” Buckles and Emma Buckles. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Edith Buckles, Pearl Buckles, Margaret Garland and Effie Danner; his first wife, Ella Mae Buckles; and five brothers, Clay Buckles, Gene Buckles, Claude Buckles, Earl Buckles and Ivan Buckles.
H.J. had worked as both a bus driver and a farmer. He was a member of Willow Springs Baptist Church and attended Meadowview Baptist Church. H.J. loved gardening and will be missed by everyone that knew him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 24 years, Helen Sharp Buckles, of the home; two sons, Dale Buckles of Hampton and Dean Buckles and wife Glenda of Elizabethton; two grandchildren, Joseph Buckles and wife Prenthia and Daniel Buckles and wife Bonnie, both of Elizabethton; three great-grandchildren, Mollie, Addilyn and Clint, all of Elizabethton; a stepson, Paul McCray and wife Debbie of North Carolina; a grandchild, Paul McCray Jr. and wife Tina of North Carolina; two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Alexander, both of North Carolina; two sisters, Myrtle Pierce and Brenda Taylor and husband Bill; and one brother, Paul Buckles and wife Peggy.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of H.J. Buckles will be conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, August 19, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Richard Jones and Rev. Dean Smith officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 6 p.m. Friday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 20, at Caldwell Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Gene Stansberry, Ray Lewis, Jimmy Buckles, Joseph Buckles, Daniel Buckles, Dayton Buckles, Matthew Williams and Josh Miller. Honorary pallbearers will be Ikis Nave, Ronnie Keller, Jimmy Hyder and John Allen. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton at 10 a.m. Saturday to go in procession. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Gene and Carolyn Stansberry and Ray and Maxine Lewis. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the American Heart Association, 3101 Browns Mill Road, Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Buckles family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.