Bishop Reverend ROBERT EDWARD BUFORD SR., 76, departed this life on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 7:07 p.m. from ICU room number 2107 surrounded by family love, comfort, and God's Heavenly Escorts.

"Dad", as he was affectionately called by family and friends, was born in Springfield, Ohio July 29, 1945 to the late Raymond Buford Sr. and Hattie Emma (Carter) Buford.  Upon being ordained "Bishop Buford" in 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia by Apostle E. M. Byrd, he began a Prison Ministry helping many Black men incarcerated in the Southern prison system.  It was there he also began his career as a "Courier" where he even delivered a stay of execution from the Governor, on time, to save a condemned man's life.  Upon moving back to Springfield he continued serving in the ministry under Bishop Richard Robinson at Christ Community Fellowship and then with Reverend Curtis F. Davis at Highlight Baptist Church.  Serving the church and community for more than thirty years, he and his wife, Barbara continued Rev. Davis' covenant with Greater Calvary Baptist Church, Anniston, Alabama and Rev. Hersey Taylor.  It was in Anniston where they bombed the "Freedom Rider's" bus during the Civil Rights Movement.

Bishop Robert is survived by his wife, Pastor Barbara E. (Humphrey) Buford, Springfield, Ohio; sons, Derrick L., Columbus, Ohio, Robert E. III, Shawn A. and Michael A. Buford all of Springfield, Ohio; a beautiful daughter, the eldest, Sonja D. Buford, Columbus, Ohio; father-in-law, Reverend James H. Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio; three sisters-in-law, Shirley Davey and Tina Hatchett, Atlanta, Georgia and Trina Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio and three brothers-in-law, Larry C. Humphrey, Springfield, Ohio, Marwin and Stanley Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio.  His memory will be cherished by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and special friends, B. Mims, Elder J. Elder and K. Dave and a host of others too many to name.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved son, Desmond V. Buford; mother-in-law, Lorraine H. Hatchet; brother, Reverend Raymond Buford Jr.; sister, Patricia A. Graves; aunts, Eddie Buford Walls and Mother Frances Fletcher-Jones; brother-in-law, Terry Humphrey; two nephews, Timothy L. Buford and William R. Stone and niece, Jowana Graves-Booth.

Visitation is Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 5 p.m. in St. John Missionary Baptist Church.  Burial will be Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11 a.m. in Ferncliff Cemetery.