Hilda Joy Horner Buckingham passed from this life on Saturday, March 22, 2025. She was born to the late Herman Benjamin Horner and Edna Elizabeth Cross Horner on March 31, 1947, in Pleasantville, Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Franklin Buckingham, her brothers Wilbern Horner, baby brother Loyd Horner, and niece Cindy Sissom.

She is the sister of Sue Ann Horner, Lois Dean Gilbert, Judy Goodman, and sisters-in-law Brenda Horner and Jan (Grady) Gilbert. Her nieces and nephews are Valerie (Jeff) Bishop, Mark Gilbert, Paul Gilbert, Brian Horner, Beth (Mark) Green, Amy (Kevin) Johnston, and Brandy (Christopher) Wesbrooks and a whole host of great nieces and nephews and even a few great-great nieces and nephews. She considered all of these as her children and loved them so.

She was a member of the Upper Sinking church of Christ for many, many years. She was raised to love the Lord, His work, and His people. She saw the building of the Upper Sinking church of Christ and was there every time the doors were opened, prepared the Lord’s Supper, made flowers for the auditorium, and helped produce the bulletin. She loved to teach the Children’s Bible Class. She would prepare a spread for fellowship meals. She was known for her peaches-in-cream pies and her homemade rolls among many other dishes.

One of her greatest loves was her husband, Joe Buckingham. They started dating in 1987 and were married on May 14, 1988. This was one of the sweetest love stories and the happiest we had ever seen her. They just clicked and knew what each other needed. Joe owned A & J Market in Pleasantville. This brought her into the new life of owning a restaurant which Joe had done for years. They fed a great many catfish, hushpuppies, french fries, and all the works. People came from all around to eat their fish on Friday and Saturday nights or to just have breakfast and a cup of coffee with Joe.

She had a mind to work and did so for many, many years. She earned her LPN and then went on to get her RN certification from Columbia State Community College. She worked as a nurse for nearly 30 years at the Centerville Hospital and for Maury Regional Hospital. She loved nursing and caring for the needs of others.

She will be remembered for her love of the outdoors. She had a green thumb and could grow anything. She loved a well-manicured yard and enjoyed mowing and keeping it looking nice. Her yard is full of various kinds of flowers and bushes. One of her favorites was her blueberry bushes. She would grow a big garden every year. She came from a generation that did not waste and knew how to preserve whatever needed to be saved for winter or hard times.

She loved to decorate cakes for birthdays, weddings, and any special occasion. She was a pro at making her own flowers out of icing. She even made her and Joe’s wedding cake.

In the last days of her life, she met a sweet lady named Angel. Angel became one of her favorite people as she lovingly cared for Hilda during her final months with dementia. Angel took her places and just increased her quality of life. The two shared a special bond for which Hilda’s family is very grateful.

Visitation with the family will be 24 March 2025 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at McDonald Funeral Home – Hickman County.  Funeral Services will be 25 March 2025 at 11:00 AM at Upper Sinking Church of Christ, 5622 Hwy 100, Pleasantville, TN with burial to follow at Williams Cemetery, Pleasantville, TN.