Carrie Roney Bell Lail Buff

February 16, 2025, on a glorious Sunday afternoon, right about 5:45 pm., Carrie Roney Bell Lail Buff crossed the great divide into eternity.

She was born in Burke County, NC to Bynum Pinkey Lail and Roney Bell Chapman Lail on Sunday, July 14, 1940 at “The Old Store House” on the family farm. The mid-wife, Mary Chapman, said, “It’s a girl, and five o’clock daylight savings time.”

While her birth marked her earthly beginning, and her death the ending, it was the dash in between that tells her life’s story and determined her eternal destiny. The dash was where she loved, lost, rejoiced, mourned, and lived. Her eternal destiny was sealed in August of 1950, at the age of 10, at “Big Meetin Time” at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. There Carrie bowed her knees at the altar in that humble little country church and accepted Jesus as her savior. All the while, the congregation sang “O Why Not Tonight.” This was the single most important decision she made in her 84 years. She spent her childhood with her sisters and brothers, working, playing, and worshipping Jesus at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, and living a simple life worth more than a “golden dime.” She was a lifelong member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. She started the church’s WMU and choir, and was instrumental in senior lunches for the church. She also taught the ladies Sunday school class.

Carrie began school at Absher Schoolhouse when she was six years old, and graduated from George Hildebran School in 1958. At the age of 15, she met Wayne while drawing water from the well and his pursuit for her heart and hand began. They married on April 21, 1957, and their first child was born two years later. Carrie loved being a Moma and a Momaw. Many holidays were spent around the table laughing and remembering. Her wonderful cookies and cakes were enjoyed by family and friends. She was a wonderful homemaker, pressing the creases in their britches, cooking, and canning. Carrie loved to read and was an excellent writer. Her embroidery, sewing, crocheting, and needlepoint were second to none. She loved to garden and share the fruits of her labor. Carrie is survived by her son, Tim Buff (Tracy); daughter, Nancy Vodicka (Scott); grandchildren, Heidi Henson (Jonathan), Bryan Vodicka (Maddie), Aaron Vodicka (Holly), Corey Vodicka (Lily), Amy Bradshaw; great-grandchildren, Tyler Henson, Parker Henson, Cooper Henson, Amelia Vodicka, Isabella Norman, Macy Bradshaw, and Hunter Bradshaw; sister, Edna Brittain; sister-in-law, Shirley Lail; and caretaker, Patty Smith.

In addition to her parents, Carrie was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Buff; and siblings, Lucy Brittain, Russell Lail, Charlie Lail, and Minnie Lou Brittain.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at noon in the church with Pastor Randy Cook and Rev. Keith Fulbright officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church's WMU, 4264 Mt. Gilead Church Road, Connelly Springs, NC 28612.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.