Copiah County, Mississippi

Copiah County Obituaries & Biographies

Otis Bufkin, 85, an insurance manager and former teacher died Saturday, May 22, 1999 at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center of respiratory failure.

Services were held Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Clinton with interment at the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery near Hazlehurst. Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street handled arrangements.

A native of Copiah County, Mr. Bufkin had made his home in Clinton since 1956. He was a graduate of Copiah Lincoln Community College where he was a member of the football team. He was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame and was an active alumni. He graduated and played football at Millsaps College.

Mr. Bufkin taught science and coached football at Lula-Rich schools in the Delta. He also taught science and coached football at Madison High School where he had two undefeated football seasons. He then moved to Edwards where he was principle, teacher and coach at the Edwards School. While in Edwards he received his master's degree in education from Mississippi College. After moving to Clinton in 1956 he became district manager for State Farm Insurance. He helped develop the first sales force for the Jackson area and he was a former Clinton alderman.

Mr. Bufkin also officiated at high schools, community colleges and colleges for 40 years. He helped found the Junior College Officials Association. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Clinton and was a member of the Dr. Howard Spell Sunday School class.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marie Bufkin, in 1995.

Survivors include his daughter, Sandra Bufkin Northern of Oxford; sons, Edward O. Bufkin Jr. of Dallas, Texas, and Thomas J. Bufkin of Madison; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Homer L. Bufkin of Hazlehurst.

Memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church Clinton, P. O. Box 72, Clinton, MS 39056 or to The Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7087 Antioch Road, Hazlehurst, MS 39083.

Madison County Journal - May 27, 1999