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Herman Buford Steele, of Newport, departed this life March 19, 2012, at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. He was born June 14, 1926, to Estel Monroe Steele and Imon Grey Cormany Steele. He was raised in the Eggleston community, and graduated from Eggleston High School. Buford entered the United States Navy after high school and served in the Pacific during World War II aboard the USS Arkansas, and saw action at Iwo Jima.
He returned home soon after the war, and married Emma Ann Stafford. They moved to a farm in Newport in 1950, and raised their family there. Buford farmed and was a rural mail carrier. He was a charter member of the Newport Ruritan Club, an honorary member of the Newport Rescue Squad and member of Newport Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church.
Buford was predeceased by his parents, wife, brother Denny, and first son Steven Denny. He is survived by three children and their spouses: Timothy and Sheila, Susan Steele-Ward and Tom Ward, and Phillip and Laurie. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Vicki Journell. Buford is survived by the following grandchildren and spouses, Stevie (Stephanie), Patrick (Kelly), Brandon (Tina), Micah (Kelly), Scarlett Shirey (Kevin), Andrea Ward, Alex Ward, Sam, Olivia, Sophie and Ellowyn. He also has 15 great-grandchildren. As he frequently said, "I started all this mess." Buford is also survived by a special friend, Ethel Bishop, who made his last several years very enjoyable. They were childhood friends and found each other again after they both lost their spouses. Buford also has several friends who were very kind to him in his last weeks, Mike Journell and Pam Lafon.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the Newport Rescue Squad or Fire Department. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and the funeral is at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2012, both at Kendall Funeral Home, in Pembroke.
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1926 - 2012 (85 years)
