Bertha Lee (Hale) Buckner was born February 26, 1935 in Amorel, Arkansas. She was the last child born to Ira Edward Hale and Ressie (Elder) Hale. When she was an infant, the family moved to 30 acres of land east of Poplar Bluff, MO, that is still in the family today.

Her mother worked as a homemaker and her father raised livestock and worked as a veterinarian in the community of Brosely. Her father encouraged and supported the education of all his daughters.

After graduating from Wheatley Public School, the all black high school in Butler County, MO, Bertha attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree. It was also at Lincoln University that Bertha would meet fellow student and her future husband, George Buckner.

Like two of her sisters, while at Lincoln University, Bertha became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In September 2022, she earned the status of a Pearl Soror indicating 65 years of service. She also served as a member of the Beta Omega chapter for over 60 years.

Bertha began her teaching career as a first-grade teacher in the southeast Missouri village of Grayridge. After moving to Kansas City, she spent the rest of her professional life in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. While working she earned her Master of Education Degree from Central Missouri State University.

Bertha had a passion for teaching young minds and spent most of her career at two elementary schools, D. A. Holmes and Bancroft. After retiring, she worked as a Reading Specialist at D. M. Pinkerton. Her favorite grades to teach were 2nd and 3rd grade where she spent the majority of her teaching career. One of her favorite subjects was Black History and she never waited until the month of February to teach her students about their own history.

She often mentioned how her classroom was her pride and joy and she took education very seriously and when her students entered the classroom, they knew it was time to learn.

Bertha accepted Christ very early in life and was a devoted member of Palestine Missionary Baptist Church, of Jesus Christ for over 50 years. This is where her second favorite career flourished, where she worked in the Primary Sunday School Department. Her role in the Primary Department was to create a standard of teaching and learning, keeping records and counting the Sunday School offering.  She was committed to doing this for over 50 years because she loved the children and the church family that was created in the Primary School Department. This department held a very special place in her heart and she often spoke of her commitment to the children and the importance of church education for children. She truly loved working in the Primary Department and rarely missed a Sunday in over 50 years.

Surviving to honor her memory are her husband of 64 years George L. Buckner, daughter Lori Buckner of Kansas City, MO, son Byron Buckner of Kansas City, MO, granddaughters Chebet Buckner & Maya Buckner and numerous extended family members and friends.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents and five siblings: Sisters Ethel Banks, Evelyn Meachum, PhD and Dr. Irene H. Brodie, PhD and brothers Ira Edward Hale, Jr and Leo Hale. Both brothers passing in infancy.

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.