Milner, Georgia - Aurthur Joel Buffington, 97, of Milner, widower of Mattie Stephens Buffington, died Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Cherokee Medical Center in Gaffney, SC.

Born in Zebulon, January 4, 1928, he was a son of the late Carson and Lilly Horne Buffington. Mr. Buffington was of the Greatest Generation. He was a proud Veteran, having served during World War II in Okinawa, Japan in the Water Treatment Plant for the US Army Airforce. He returned home and went to Gordon College on the GI Bill and worked for many years with the William Carter Company. Mr. Buffington later went along with his son, Donald to Griffin Technical College, where he graduated with a degree in Auto Body Repair. They opened an Auto Body Shop and enjoyed many years together working before his retirement. He was a devoted family man, enjoyed his walks in the Milner City Park, sitting on the park benches watching and talking with people as they went by.

Mr. Buffington was a dedicated member of Milner Baptist Church where he had served as a Sunday School Teacher for over sixty years. He served in many various capacities at the church including Security, Cemetery Board, Building Committee Board and was on that board when the house he eventually made his home was built as a church parsonage. He served as a Deacon for many years and was recently named Deacon Emeritus, an honorary deacon for life.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been one of nine children. Along with his beloved wife, parents and eight siblings, he was preceded in death by twin sons, Ronald Joseph Buffington and Donald Denny Buffington.

Survivors include daughters-in-law, Catrenna Buffington of Gaffney, SC with whom Mr. Buffington had recently made his home in his declining health and Kathy Buffington of Milner; granddaughters, Shellie Buffington Leary and husband John of Gaffney, SC and Kayla Buffington Hemphill and husband Joshua of Cayce, SC; and great-grandchildren, Noah and Ady Leary and Brantley Baldwin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Arthur Joel Buffington will be conducted Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Milner Baptist Church with Reverend Brad Ellington and Reverend Doug Reava officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow in Milner Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 3:00 PM until the service hour at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests memorials be made to the Milner Community Library, 159 Main Street, Milner, GA 30257 in memory of Mr. Buffington.

For online condolences please visit www.haistenmcculloughfuneralhome.com.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin is in charge of arrangements.