Margaret Kathryn "Peggy" Hodgson Buford

Margaret Kathryn (Peggy) Hodgson Buford passed away at the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House on May 22, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was born October 1, 1928 in Palatka, Florida, to Alexander McCormick Hodgson and Isabel Bullen Hodgson. She grew up in Daytona Beach and enjoyed the beach and fishing with her father. Peggy earned her aircraft pilot license before obtaining her first driver license. She graduated from Florida State College for Women in 1950 and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She briefly attended the University of Florida Law School before her marriage, and while attending UF was a member of Phi Delta Delta Legal fraternity. After moving back to Tallahassee in 1952, she was a devoted volunteer for the LeMoyne Art Foundation, a member of the Tallahassee Junior League, and Garden Circle. Peggy had a long career in the Teacher Certification section of the Florida Department of Education, retiring in 1985. After her retirement, she very much enjoyed traveling with her friends and adding to her collections of beautiful things. She was pre-deceased by her parents and two aunts, Beatrice Bullen Middleton and June Bullen Reese. She is survived by her son, Rivers H. Buford, III (wife Jean), daughter Mary Kathryn Buford (fiancé Howard M. Huckaby), all of Tallahassee and daughter Margaret Ann Buford Finnell of Winter Park, Florida. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kathryn Elizabeth Buford of Tallahassee, Taylor, Amanda and Spencer Finnell, all of Winter Park, her dear cousin, Beatrice Middleton Coker of Marietta, Georgia, and Bea’s children Cathy Coker Fernandez (husband Alex and son William) of Dunedin, Florida, and Lee Coker (wife Heather, son Flynn and daughter Hadley) of Atlanta, Georgia, and her beloved lapdog, Sophie. The family wishes to thank all the doctors, nurses, and support staff at TMH and Big Bend Hospice for the care and compassion shown to her and her family. In addition, a special thanks to Janet Williams and Irish Campbell for the care and companionship they gave Peggy over the last several years. A reception honoring Peggy’s life will be Tuesday, May 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bevis Funeral Home, Tallahassee. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts, Refuge House, Lighthouse Children’s Home, or the charity of your choice. Rocky Bevis with Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com

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Margaret Kathryn "Peggy" Hodgson Buford

October 1, 1928 - May 22, 2015