Mrs. Bertha Anne Martin Buff, 88, of Black Mountain, NC, passed away Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Highland Farms.
Mrs. Buff was born August 26, 1928 in Jackson County, NC and lived there most of her life. She was a member of Whittier United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Buff graduated from Western Carolina Teachers College in 1950 with a double major in science and physical education. She taught in high schools in and out of NC. While at Glenwood High School in Glenwood, NC, she coached the girls and boys basketball teams and took the boys to the county championship for the first time ever. After earning a MBA, she began a thirty year career with the Girl Scouts of America and left them as Executive Director of the Pisgah Girl Scout Council. Under her tenure, the Pisgah Girl Scout Council expanded programs and grew the council to include the 16 Western most counties in NC. After retiring from there, she and a friend opened a hand-made craft and gift shop in Dillsboro, NC and managed that for 20 years and spent time afterwards traveling with her husband, Paul.
Mrs. Buff was an avid gardener and while a resident at Highland Farms, she enjoyed working in their flower gardens. Her flower arrangements graced many events held around there and some of her needlework was displayed around the facility.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence M. and Mary Hampton Martin; and husband, Paul K. Buff, Sr; sister, Charlotte Josephine Martin; brothers, Harry W. Martin and James Bayard Martin.
Mrs. Buff is survived by her two step children, Margaret Carol Egede-Nissen and Paul K. Buff, Jr.; one step grandchild, Mary B. Blanchard; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 3:00pm at Thomas Cemetery in Whittier, NC with Rev. David Baxter officiating.