Ladye Kathryn (Kitty) Buckels Roberts

Ladye Kathryn (Kitty) Buckels Roberts - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 5/26/2022

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Ladye Kathryn (Kitty) Buckels Roberts - Madison Parish, Louisiana
From Jackson, MS Clarion-Ledger May 16, 2022

Oxford, MS - Ladye Kathryn (Kitty) Buckels Roberts passed peacefully and painlessly into heaven on May 11th, 2022, surrounded by her three children in her residence at The Magnolia (formerly The Blake) in Oxford, MS. Living to 94, she always knew that even though, "you can't help getting older, you don't have to get old." She certainly never was…

Born July 6th, 1927, in Darnell, LA, to Geneva and Mallory Buckels, Ladye spent her youth in Tallulah, LA, focusing on all aspects of music. She studied dance, voice, and piano and starred in recitals and productions dressed in costumes lovingly sewn by her mother.

In addition to these activities, she served as Drum Majorette in the Tallulah High School Marching Band. While still in high school, she was recruited by a local "big band" to sing the wonderful "Swing" style music so popular in that era. Into her college years, she and the band performed across the Midsouth at hotel rooftop dances that were broadcast on the radio.

After graduating from Tallulah High, Ladye matriculated at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA, where she majored in Voice and minored in Piano. It was here that her classmates began to call her "Kitty" and the moniker stuck for the rest of her life. In 1948, they voted her "Class Favorite".

It was also at LaTech that she met and soon married E.V. "Buddy" Cleveland, Jr. The couple settled in Jackson, MS, in the late 1950's, where they raised their children and were both active in the then bustling oil community.

Kitty's style of mothering was to heap nothing but love, kindness, and understanding upon her children while leaving the administration of discipline to their father. This resulted in an adoration bordering on worship from her kids. The fact that she was a gourmet cook certainly added to her charm. She later caste her spell of love on her eight grandchildren in the same manner and they eagerly succumbed to her.

In 1980, Kitty wed Nicholas B. Roberts of Yazoo City, and enjoyed a long and loving marriage until his death in 1998. Shortly thereafter, she moved back to Jackson to be near her children and grandchildren. Living at the reservoir, she had an "open door" policy for all who wanted to enjoy an evening cocktail, a game of Gin Rummy, her delicious food, or to just share a laugh.

Kitty was a fun-loving, "life of the party" type and an incredible hostess. Her wit, even in her final days, was legendary and her laugh infectious to all. The only time she became truly serious was at the card table or the casino, and she was incredibly adept at both places! Throughout her life, she belonged to more than a few bridge clubs, and other card clubs as well.

Our family wishes to thank the caring staff at The Magnolia and Enhabit Hospice, in Oxford, MS, for making her final years such positive ones. A private celebration of Kitty's life will be held at a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family asks that donation be made to Enhabit Hospice, or to the hospice ministry of your choice.

Kitty was adored by her family, friends, and all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Andrew C. Clayton (Taylor). She is survived by her brother William T. "Sonny" Buckels; her three children: Cynthia Cleveland McNamara (Ray), Keith V. Cleveland (Dawn), Amy Cleveland Grenfell (Bob); her seven much loved grandchildren who called her "Nana": Kyle C. Clayton (Paige), E. Taylor Cleveland, Kate V. Cleveland (J.D.), Mallory K. Bass, Ross C. Bass, Michael B. McGinnis (Neely) and Robert C. Grenfell, Jr., as well as her eight great-grandchildren, and all of her adoring nieces and nephews who called her Aunt Kitty.