Evangelist Dorothy Dean Buckley

Formerly of Saginaw, Michigan - Ms. Dorothy Dean Buckley was born October 11, 1941, in Bolton, Mississippi, to the late Reverend Marcus Buckley and the late Myrtis S. Buckley. She was educated in the public-school systems of Jackson, Mississippi, and Saginaw, Michigan. She attended Jackson College and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Delta College in Bay City, Michigan. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Sociology from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Jackson State University. Ms. Buckley worked in the Saginaw city and township areas as a substitute teacher, and as an English and Journalism instructor in Buena Vista Township, Saginaw, Michigan. She also served as a Title I Reading teacher at the Saginaw Detention Center, worked in private duty nursing, and served as a home health care coordinator in Los Angeles, California. She later worked as a GED instructor at Jackson State University, from which she recently retired. She was a certified teacher in the COPP Program of Nashville, Tennessee, a certified missionary, and a licensed evangelist. She was an active church worker in Saginaw and Los Angeles, and continued her work in Jackson, Mississippi, as a member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Arthur A. Sutton. When called upon, she sang in the choir and taught various classes, and she faithfully served as a traveling soloist and program guide for different churches. In 1950, Dorothy confessed Christ as her Savior and was baptized at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where she remained a devoted member and became the 1st licensed Evangelist of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. Over the years, Missionary Buckley wore many hats in service to the church, holding positions at Bethlehem, Pleasant Ridge, and Christ Fellowship churches in Saginaw, Michigan — including Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher, President of the Choir, Counselor for Youth, Nurses President and Teacher, Director of the BTU, Ushers President, Secretary, and Teacher, Announcing Clerk, Missionary Society President, Chaplain, and Teacher, General Secretary, Director of the Young Peoples Department, Director of Vacation Bible School, and one of the original members of Voices of Peoples. She carried a strong teaching and counseling background throughout her life, faithfully serving in both the church and the medical field. She is survived by her siblings, George Buckley, Celestine Buckley, and Sarah Jarrett; her five children, Cheryl Buckley, Darren Buckley (Alicia Buckley), Lamonte Buckley, Lawrence Buckley, and Jaylin Womack-Buckley; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and a host of more god-children, nieces, nephews, family and friends, including a special niece, Myrtis Brazil. Ms. Dorothy Dean Buckley was preceded in death by a grandson, Mark Buckley; a sister, Vonnie Gentry (Coy Gentry); two brothers, Samuel Buckley and Walter D. Buckley. Evangelist Buckley considered her greatest accomplishment to be working toward excellence in the Lord’s Kingdom — having received her BA (Born Again) degree, and continuing to work toward her Master’s Degree in Believing God for Everything. Her ultimate goal was simply to be the best Christian she could be — working toward excellence daily, and living a life of kindness every single day. Service will take place on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 2323 Powers Ave., Jackson, MS 39213

Evangelist Dorothy Dean Buckley

October 11, 1941 - June 30, 2026