Mildred Virginia Bufkin King, 88, of Smith County, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2025. She was born November 30, 1936 to Grady H. and Naomi Lowe Bufkin in Stringer, Miss. She was a graduate of Stringer High School. In March of her senior year, she married the love of her life, John David King.

As newlyweds, they spent time in Jackson, Miss., before John David joined the United States Army and they moved to Fort Chafee, Ark., where they began their family. After John David's service with the Army, they moved back to Smith County, Miss., and raised their two sons, Johnny and Mark. After a lengthy tenure, both John David and Mildred retired from Southern Pine Electric, having served in Prentiss, Brandon, Newton, and Taylorsville offices.

Mildred enjoyed spending time with her family. She was known for her cooking; her favorite place was sitting at the dining room table, sharing stories and jokes. Mildred was an excellent joke-teller even though she would laugh so hard at her jokes, that she often never got to the punch line. She loved playing in the floor with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was meticulous in planning family events and meals, all because she wanted the gatherings to go perfectly.

In her childhood, she was mischievous. She and her best friend/cousin, Irma, once turned off the breaker when her family and a revival pastor sat down for dinner. When the candles were lit, she would turn the breaker back on and then off again.

Mildred was the ultimate caregiver and known for her generous hospitality. Her ministry would be to care for others in times of need. One of her simplest joys in life was a conversation over a cup of coffee.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, John David King Sr.; her parents; her brothers, Grady H. Bufkin, Jr., Johnny Bufkin; and her sister, Janice Bunkley.

She is survived by her sons, Johnny (Nita) King of Smith County, Mark (Joy) King of Raymond; grandchildren, Brandon (Jolene) King of Wiggins, Anna (Kellen) Burns of Smith County, Seth (Jenny) King of Florence, SaraLyn (Jacob) King of Brandon; great-grandchildren, Emma Grace King, Kathryn King, Kingston Burns, Annelise King, John Major Burns, Millie Kate (her namesake) King; sister, Betty Jewel Grantham; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Edon Baptist Church, Stringer, on March 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM with service at 12:00 PM with burial to follow at Edon Cemetery. Bro. Nate Blackledge will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Bay Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Brandon King, Seth King, Kellen Burns, Jacob King, Robert Bufkin, Nick Bunkley, Shaun Jenkins, and Lance Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers are Grady Lewis, and Ladies of Mary Sunday School Class of Edon Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Baptist Children's Village P.O. Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060, and the Edon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 576 CR 7, Stringer, MS 39481.