Mar. 14, 1924 - May 3, 2010 SOUTH BEND - Sylvester Buckingham Sr., was born March 14, 1924, in Memphis, TN, to Hosie Sr. And Cora Jean Buckingham. At an early age, he worked at a major furniture store as a merchandiser; then went on to work for Nabisco. In his early twenties, he met Syrethia at an apartment building he lived in, in Memphis, TN, and they were later married. In 1948, Sylvester (better known as Paw Paw, Uncle Syl and Uncle Newt), along with his wife, Syrethia moved to South Bend, IN. they attended church at St. Paul Bethel, and later Greater Friendship Baptist Church. Paw Paw was an usher and Syrethia sang in the choir. They were blessed with a son, Sylvester J. June 8, 1958. In February, 1971 he lost his beloved wife in a tragic car accident in Arkansas. With Sylvester Jr. At his side, his brother, Levester Buckingham Sr., niece, Catherine Smith and family, he made it through. He worked and retired from Gentners Packing Company after 30+ years of services and later worked at a major funeral company making air trays. He traveled a lot to the South to see family during the summertime and loved fishing, cooking and serving his community. Paw Paw was a son, a husband, a father, an uncle and grandfather, and a father figure to many. You could find him on "the Lake" in the summertime sitting out in his front yard, walking or riding his bike, nurturing his gardens or even providing ice cream cones to the kids. He is survived by son, Sylvester Jr.; grandchildren, Charmaine and Gus Giger of South Bend and Syreathia Buckingham of Atlanta, GA; great-grandchildren, Jorden Giger, Maurice Thompson, Giani, Jahaya and Jahliya Giger; distant brothers and sisters, Charles L. Buckingham (Ca), Floyd Buckingham (MS), Willie Buckingham (NY), Willie M. Johnson (CA), Gloria A. Brown (NY), Virginia A. Burnette (MS), Shirley F. Gatherings (MS). Loving nieces near and far, Catherine Smith (AR), Lula Mae Peak (IN), Bettie Jean Buckingham (TX), Dorothy Jean Buckingham (AR), Cora Jean Woods and Linda Ann Brown (IN), Frances K. Turner (VA), Carolyn (Fay) Carter (IN). Nephews near and far, James S. Hickman (MI) Levester Buckingham Jr. (IN), Terrance Lee Buckingham (IN). Great nephews, Zacary Smith (AR) Earlie Smith (AR), Thomas Verse (IN), cousins, Booker T. Buckingham (IN) and the list goes on. He was preceded in death by his wife, Syrethia; his mother, Cora Jean, his father, Hosie Sr.; brothers, Hosie Jr., John W. Robert Buckinghamj, Levester Buckingham Sr. (Uncle Buddy); sisters, Lilly Mae Smith, Lynda Eckford and stepmother, Grace Buckingham Phelan; and nephews, Charles, Timmy Lee and Jmmy Lee Buckingham. Paw Paw's years were gifted with care for his son, his eldest granddaughter and grandson, Charmaine and Gus Giger; his eldest great-grandson, Jorden Giger from the beginning until the final days. The family would like to thank his senior buddies and friends at the William C Ellison Apartments and also the caregivers and nurse staff at Hospice House for making his final days pleasant and comfortable. And thank Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home for being so comforting and helpful to the family at this time of bereavement. Services for Mr. Sylvester Buckingham will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 in the Clark-O'Neal Funeral home, 2702 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. funeral services at 11 a.m. Burial will follow funeral services at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.