Leola "Lee" Juanita Buffington

Leola “Lee” Buffington, age 83, passed away on Friday March the 8th 2019. Lee was born in the home of her parents in Prairie City Illinois on October 14th 1935.

Lee was well known in Shannon County through her 30 years of service with the Shannon County Tax Collections Office. She also worked at various local canoe rental businesses in the summers during her 40 years as a resident of Shannon County. Lee was a member of Jacks Fork Country Church in Eminence.

Lee was preceded in death by her parents Marion R. and Nelda Schoonover, grandmother Nellie Schoonover, brother Marion J. “Bud” Schoonover, son Steven L. Coates, daughter Belinda “Sue” Keeling, and great granddaughter Meghan Burum.

Surviving family members include her husband of 49 years William E. Buffington Sr., brother Ralph Schoonover and wife Nancy, sister Sandra Harn and husband Rick, daughter Liddell Swanson and husband Lloyd, son-in-law Larry Keeling, step children William E. Buffington Jr. and wife Faye, Linda Mucha and husband Tom, Charles E. Buffington and wife Laurie.

Lee’s five generations of grandchildren include grandchildren Craig M. DeJaynes, Kimberly Hodge, Colby Swanson, Amy Coates, Stacy Kavanagh, Danielle Huddleston, Sarah Keeling, Morgan Buffington, Grace Buffington, Ethan Green, and Melissa Green. Her life was blessed with 17 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.