Annie Ruth (Buckner) Oakley went to her heavenly home on Monday January 8, 2018 after a long battle with Alzheimers and numerous physical ailments. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Walter Waverly “Pete” Oakley, her parents, William Robert Buckner, Sr. and Mae Hutchinson Buckner, her siblings Geneva Sanders, James Buckner, Alyne Montgomery, William Robert “Bill” Buckner, Jr., Curtis Buckner and Edna Buckner.

She is survived by her sons, Glenn Oakley (Cindi) of Starkville, Lakin (Lynn) Oakley of DeKalb, TX and Sidney (Kim) Oakley of Kennesaw, GA. Grandchildren Matthew (Paisley) Oakley of Starkville, John Logan Oakley of Dallas, TX, Jamie Oakley of Birmingham, AL, Lex Oakley of DeKalb, TX and Jared Oakley of Ferndale, MI. Great Grandchildren Jackson Oakley, Sawyer Oakley and Ellis Oakley, all of Starkville, MS.

A lifelong resident of Oktibbeha County, she was born August 2, 1930 in the Bradley community. Near the end of the Great Depression her parents purchased a farm on Oktoc Road and moved to the Oktoc community. She attended Starkville Public Schools and earned three letters in Basketball while on her way to becoming the career points leader, a record which stood for many years. After high school graduation she attended Clark Memorial and Mississippi State Colleges. Prior to completion of college she fell in love and married the true love of her life, Walter “Pete” Oakley. They were married at Bethesda Baptist Church on June 10, 1956 with her wearing an ornate dress handmade by her mother. Once marriage she moved a little further down Oktoc Road to her husband’s home place where she remained for more than 55 years, until her physical and mental health began to fail. She gave birth to and reared three sons who at times tested her patience and will. Once her sons were grown and married she welcomed daughters in law whom she loved and treated like the daughters she never had. Prior to the arrival of grandchildren of her own she became a surrogate grandmother to Merri Gray Kilpatrick who she would spoil as her own and learn perfectly how to dote on grandchildren. The arrival of her five grandchildren, all of which were born in a span of less than four years, became her greatest source of pride and joy. She always looked forward to having her grandchildren visit, especially at Christmas. While hosting her grandchildren at Christmas when they were young was a challenge she enjoyed every minute of the chaos during their visits. She enjoyed watching her to grandchildren grow up and loved attending their school and extracurricular events. She also enjoyed seeing them become young adults each following their own unique path. She was proud of them for becoming a train conductor, an artist, a pediatric physician, a bull rider and a mechanical engineer. She was also proud of becoming a great grandmother to Jackson, Sawyer and Ellis. In addition to children, grandchildren and great grandchildren she always loved and had a close relationship with her siblings and extended family. Her love and devotion to family most likely originated by the example set by her parents. Growing up her parents were always open to helping extended members of the family out with several cousins such as J.W Ray, Margie Buckner and Betty Buckner living with them at times during their youth. After their families were grown, she and her sisters would take numerous “Sister Trips” which would provide a few told and many untold stories. Her love for her family was so great she became instrumental in creating the annual Hutchinson Family Reunion of which she would attend each year including her 51st time this past July.

The family would like to thank the staff of OCH Regional Hospital, Vickers Personal Care Home, The Carrington Nursing Home, Lynn and Railey Stewart for the warmth and loving care they provided during the final years or her life. The family would also like to especially thank Dr. Steven Brandon for providing loving, compassionate medical care and advice.

Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, MS. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in the Welch Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Bethesda Cemetery in Crawford, MS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Bethesda Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1189 Bethesda Rd., Crawford, MS 39743.