Jean Buckhanan

Jean Buckhanan 83, was granted her heavenly wings on Sunday August 15, 2021 in Milwaukee, WI. Jean Buckhanan was born on October 20, 1937 to Paul and Cecil Autry in Fort Smith Arkansas. Her mother moved from Fort Smith to Milwaukee in the early 1940’s and her father joined them after his service in the military. Although she was raised an only child her parents adopted her brother Michael later in her life. They all settled in Milwaukee, WI where she would make her final transition. Jean graduated from Messmer High school and began to work small jobs until she married Walter Buckhanan in 1961. Through their union they had three children, Cheryl, Walt and Michelle whom she loved dearly. She worked 25 years at Herslof Optical, however, most people know her as “Ms. B” at Carter Drug Store on Burleigh where she worked part time for 45 years. Upon the announcement of her first grandchild, she retired from Herslof Optical and became Grandma full time for Courtney and Quinton and then later for Jaela and Morgan. In between she helped care for many other family and friend’s children. She was mom and grandma to many. She was an active member of St. Agnes Church now known as All Saints Catholic Church. Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of her daughters Cheryl Buckhanan and Michelle (John) Watley and her son Walt (Michelle) Buckhanan; grandchildren, Courtney and Quinton Buckhanan, Jaela and Morgan Watley; step-grandchildren, Lawrence Ward, Julian and Maxwell Barnes; step-mother, Elverta Autry; Siblings, Aaisha Baiyewu, John Michael Autry and Patricia Bell; daughter-in-love, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, brother-in-love, Jacob T. Mitchell; cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.