Sidney Louis Buckley

Dr. Sidney Louis Buckley, 81, entered his heavenly home Friday morning, December 1, 2017 with his devoted wife, Virginia Willoughby Buckley by his side. They served the Lord in ministry together for 58 years.

Born in Columbia, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Rev. Porter W. Buckley and Erma McCraw Buckley. Dr. Buckley was a Graduate of Bunker Hill High School, graduate of Pearl River Junior College, Graduate of William Carey College; earned his Masters Degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned his PhD in Vocal Performance from Florida State University. Dr. Buckley began his dedicated and long career in music ministry when he was licensed as a music minister when he was thirteen years old at his home church of Goss Baptist Church, Columbia Mississippi.

After earning his PhD at Florida State, Dr, Buckley and his family moved to South Carolina 1967 where he became Director of Opera at Furman University and the Music Director at First Baptist Church in Easley SC. After serving on the Furman faculty for 6 years, he was then selected as the Head of the Music Department at Central Wesleyan College and was instrumental in helping the college receive their formal accreditation. Later in his career, he served as the Chair of the Music Department at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

In addition to serving other churches, Dr Buckley also traveled throughout the United States performing in many operas, being featured soloist and conductor in a vast array of musical venues such as theatrical, community choral and symphonic productions, Southern Baptist Conventions, Ridgecrest and Glorietta Baptist Centers as well as serving as a full time Music Evangelist, travelling throughout the South East sharing his testimony in song by singing concerts in hundreds of churches.

Even though Dr. Buckley was passionate about his musical calling and following wherever the Lord led him, he was happiest at home where he and Mrs Buckley raised their family on a hill among the rolling countryside outside of Easley, SC. Here, he enjoyed his favorite pastimes of hunting, having horses and cows, gardening and just spending time with family.

In addition to his wife, Virginia, he was survived by daughters, Susan (Al) Cumbie of Walhalla, SC and Sara (Brad) Griffith of Liberty; sons, Sid (Annette) Buckley of Greer, SC and Seth (Robin) Buckley of Moore, SC; brother, Tim Buckley of Columbia, MS; sister, Marion Wilks of Columbia, MS; Nine grandchildren: Benjamin (Tiffany) Beaver, Luke (Eileen) Beaver, Jacob (Sloane) Buckley, Rebecca (Seth Hooper), Caleb Buckley, Eli Buckley, Micah Buckley, Victoria Buckley, Doris Emily Buckley and six great-grandchildren: Drake Beaver, Emmy Beaver, Wren Beaver, Teagan Beaver, Porter Hooper and Jackson Hooper.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Virginia Hope Buckley; and two sisters, Doris Ramshur and Barbara Taylor.

The Service of Celebration for Dr. Buckley's life will be Wednesday, December 6th at 12 noon at First Baptist Church, Easley SC with the Dr. John Adams officiating. The family will receive friends from 10am-12noon in the narthex of the church.

A private family committal service will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Pickens, SC.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home - Downtown.