Clarice Elaine Buford

Celebration of Life

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  

Psalm 118:24

Clarice Elaine Buford was born on October 12, 1952 in Kansas City, MO as the second of seven children born to Deacon Maurice and Mother Bessie Mae Wilson.  The Lord called Sister Clarice Elaine Buford home to eternal rest on June 2, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents Dea. Maurice and Bessie Wilson, Dea. Leroy and Vivian Williams, Rev. Cleveland and Jackie Buford, and her youngest sister Sylvia Cooper.

Elaine was baptized at the age of 12 under the pastorate of the late Dr. Robert B. Poe of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO.  She obtained her elementary and secondary education through the Kansas City, MO School District. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS in 1974, and was elected Ottawa University’s Homecoming Ambassador by the entire student body in 1973-1974.  She liked playing tennis and full back on the Ottawa University women’s soccer team.  She enjoyed cooking specialties like, greens, gumbo, prime rib and homemade rolls, taking cake classes with Diane Cheadle, and visiting nursing homes. Elaine was employed by the U.S. government for 31 years. She was a member of Galaxy II chapter of American Business Women Association.

Sis. Buford met her “Boaz”, as she would call him, in 1983. Rev. Calvin K. Buford lighted up her life with his true love and support.  She married her loving husband Calvin on August 18, 1984.  To this union was born one child, Cynthia Evette Buford.  Sis. Buford was a devoted wife and mother, and loved being with her family.  When Rev. Buford was called to preach under his present pastor, Bishop Tony D. Cobbins, Sis. Buford served faithfully by his side under his leadership in many capacities including First Lady of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, mentor, and teacher. She loved the Lord, and wherever needed in the church, she was willing to serve.  Having a passion to see young women living at their God-given potential, she organized a women’s ministry at St. Paul called Women of Royal Distinction, better known as WORD.  She was a lifetime member of the New Era District Association Women’s Missionary Union, and a member of the Mother Board, Deaconess and Ministers Wives, Sunday School and mass choir.  She served as a teacher for the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Kansas City’s Good News Club at Faxon Elementary School and Holiday Montessori School for eight years.  As a woman who sought to represent Jesus Christ in all that she did, Sis. Buford loved to offer words of encouragement and love to those she came in contact with. 

Sis. Buford loved and lived the song “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”  Her favorite song message was: “I Will Trust in the Lord” for “God So Loved the World” and “I Love the Lord” for His “Amazing Grace” He has given me, “Blessed Assurance” to say, “Have Thine Own Way Lord,” You are the Potter and I am the clay, mold me and make me, “Oh, How I Love Jesus!”

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Rev. Calvin Buford of the home; her daughter, Cynthia Buford of the home; one son, Calvin Robinson (Tasha) of Kansas City, MO; one grandson, De’Shaun Robinson; two brothers, Arthur Wilson (Pat) of Grandview, MO, and Kenneth Wilson, Sr. (Anita) of Kansas City, MO; four sisters, Saundra Boyd of Raymore, MO, Dorethea Jenkins of Kansas City, MO, Brenda Walls of Kansas City, MO, and Rochelle Conley (Steve) of St. Louis, MO; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

To God be the glory for everything He has done!

Public viewing Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Canaan Worship Center, 5333 Bannister Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64137. Funeral service 12:00 p.m. Burial Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, Kansas. TBA