Levonia D. Buchanan

Levonia Dean Buchanan passed away peacefully at the age of 72 in the early hours of Friday, September 13th, 2024. Levonia was a devoted wife to Harold Thomas (Tom) Buchanan, Jr. and was proudest of being a nurturing mother to her three loving children: Shawn Thomas, Keely Dawn, and Penny Brooke. She was a lifelong member of the West Columbia Church of Christ and lived her life in faithful devotion to God and her friends in Christ. For all who knew her, she was a constant example of Christian stewardship who humbly and compassionately stood ready to help friend and stranger alike at a moment’s notice. This stewardship extended to Levonia’s many animal friends, and she never turned away a cat or dog in need, sheltering and finding loving homes for numerous wayward pets over the years.

Levonia was born January 14th, 1952, to Agnes Genese Hamilton and Hollis Roberson Hamilton in Crossville, Tennessee. She was the middle of three children, along with older sister Holletta (Holly) and younger brother Dale. At an early age, Levonia and her family moved to Centerville, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton. Levonia graduated from Bellbrook High School in 1970 and began the next phase of her education at Florida College, a small 2-year Christian school.

It was in her first year of college that Levonia met the eventual love of her life, Tom Buchanan. Tom dared to move away his sophomore year to attend Oklahoma State University, however, he was so smitten with Levonia that he flew back over spring break to propose to her out of fear another boy would beat him to it! Thankfully, Levonia accepted, and quickly transferred to OSU to be near her fiancée. Levonia graduated from OSU in 1974 with a B.A., with an emphasis in education.

Levonia and Tom were married on January 10th, 1974, in Duncan, Oklahoma and began what would grow into 50 years of lifelong love and devotion, having just recently celebrated this milestone anniversary earlier this year. They soon moved to Texas, where Levonia taught as a substitute teacher while traveling for Tom’s work in the oil industry. While on these early travels, in 1976 Levonia gave birth to the first of her three children, Shawn. Soon after, the young family settled down in West Columbia, Texas, where Levonia set about becoming an active part of the community through their church and the school district.

Levonia gave birth to her second child, Keely, in 1981 and soon made the decision to focus on raising her growing family. In 1984, the family moved to Stavanger, Norway and soon after, Penny was born. It was a challenge raising three young children in a foreign country, but Levonia met that challenge head-on, excitedly playing Den Mother to her son’s Cub Scout troop as they traipsed across the Norwegian countryside over the course of four adventurous years. Eventually the family moved back to the States, and returned to West Columbia in 1989, where Levonia and Tom would remain until today.

As her children aged, Levonia remained an active part of all their lives, always volunteering to sponsor their many school and extracurricular activities (when they would let her…teenagers, right!). It was through this tireless support of her kids that Levonia also became “Mom” to so many of their friends and classmates over the years, compassionately offering a friendly shoulder to cry on (or swift kick in the pants) when it was called for.

Levonia had many hobbies in her life but was always most passionate about BOWLING (Yes, it is capitalized for a reason!). To emphasize her true passion for the sport, all three children were expected to participate in multiple bowling leagues AND some worked at the local bowling alley as summer jobs (despite not being very good at either)! She didn’t let her husband off the hook either and bowling quickly became THE defining Buchanan family tradition. She will be sorely missed by her close friends on the numerous bowling leagues she actively participated in (though probably not the bowling alley itself, as she was known to complain about the lane conditions from time to time…).

Levonia’s passing leaves behind a heartbroken family; her devoted husband Harold Thomas (Tom) Buchanan, Jr.; adoring son, Shawn Thomas Buchanan; and kind, compassionate daughters Keely Dawn Buchanan and Penny Brooke Wilson. Levonia will miss her weekly Kohls excursions with her sister Holletta (Holly) Eudy, and watching scary movies with her younger brother Dale Hamilton. Her three granddaughters Elizabeth, Morgan, and Bailey will miss their “Nana” terribly, especially all the loving Christmas presents that Nana generously stockpiled throughout the year! She is mourned by her daughter-in-law Jennifer Buchanan and son-in-law Christopher Wilson, nieces and nephews Amanda, James, Lane, Laura, Lindsey, Matt, Danny, Marcie, BJ, Cherish, and numerous other relatives and close friends, too many to count.

As a wife and mother above all else, Levonia imparted many life lessons throughout her time on Earth, but in this moment, one particular lesson stands out. She simply taught us to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Mom said that it is unimportant how the world treats you, however your life is measured by the kindness and compassion you show in stewardship of others. Looking back on her life, I can think of no greater accomplishment she achieved than this. Truly a life well lived, thank you, mom.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Saturday September 21st, 1:00 p.m. at C.T. Baker Funeral Home 634 S. Columbia Dr. West Columbia. Funeral service to begin at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor David Weaks officiating. Interment to follow at Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest cemetery, West Columbia.

Please join the family as we celebrate her memory and the lasting influence she has had on her community.

 In honor of her long-time compassion for animals, we ask those who desire to donate in her name to the West Columbia Animal Shelter.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com