Donna Shively Buford

Donna Shively Buford died at home on May 20, 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

She was born September 7, 1938, in Hodge, Louisiana, the daughter of David and Hazel Shively. Donna grew up in Jonesboro, Louisiana where she attended elementary through high school. Valedictorian was one of her many honors there. It was in Jonesboro where she met her future husband, Skip Buford, at a preschool birthday party. But it was not until high school that the two became a couple.

They stayed a couple even after Skip left to attend college and dental school in Atlanta, Georgia. Donna stayed in Louisiana and graduated from LSU in three years so she could marry Skip as quickly as possible. While there, she served as president of Pi Beta Phi sorority and earned a BA in English, graduating Cum Laude. She was also a member of Mortar Board and was listed in Who’s Who in American Universities and colleges.

Once married, Donna joined Skip at Emory University where they served as house managers for a freshman dorm. Overnight, Donna went from being a twenty-year-old college student to a quasi-housemother for 108 boys away from home for the first time. Their first two daughters were born while they lived there. After Skip finished his Army service, the couple settled in Shreveport where their youngest daughter was born.

Donna was an active volunteer in the girls’ schools serving as room mom, a mentor to students who needed extra help and a Girl Scout leader. Once the girls were older, Donna worked at and later managed the Tower BookShop for a number of years where she enjoyed visiting with customers and making book recommendations. She was a lifelong and avid reader.

Donna was an active volunteer and member of Noel Memorial United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school, chaperoned youth mission trips and was a longtime member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class. It was there that she and Skip met many of their long-term and dearest friends.

Donna was loved by her family, friends, and neighbors. She was so kind and thoughtful and a great conversationalist with a dry and funny wit. The consummate proofreader she reviewed many a school paper and application (she would have already found problems with this obit.) She could solve a crossword puzzle with alarming speed.

Donna is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dr. Skip Buford; her daughters, Melissa Buford, Sara Buford Jones and husband, Michael and Amanda Buford Webb and her husband, Ian and grandchildren, Katherine Jones, Will Jones, Adam Webb, and Logan Parkerson.

Donna’s life will be celebrated Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport, Louisiana. Visitation will be in the sanctuary from 10:00 a.m. to service time. Officiating will be Reverend Kaylan Walker.

The family suggests memorials may be made in Donna’s honor, to the charity of your choice or to the Noel Food Pantry, https://onrealm.org/noelumc/-/form/give/now