Obituary of Irma Ruth Buchanan

Irma Ruth Buchanan, 85, of Pensacola, Florida, departed this earthly life on May 17, 2023,
having suffered from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s for years.

Irma was born in Booneville, Mississippi on July 8, 1937 to Vernon “Red” Key and Aera Key. She
graduated from Booneville High School in 1954 and from David Lipscomb College in 1958. She
married Raymond Wright Buchanan, Jr. in Booneville, Mississippi, on June 13, 1958. Her
husband, Raymond, predeceased her, having passed from this life on February 24, 2020.

Foremost, Irma was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She adored her children
and grandchildren and strived mightily to assure that they were well taken care of. She
dedicated her life to caretaking her husband, children and grandchildren. When it came to
family and household chores, she was a tireless worker. Through her daily efforts she
personified love.

Irma also enjoyed a career teaching elementary school students. She was a nurturing and
dedicated school teacher that positively influenced the lives of many children. She often said
that her favorite student age to teach were first graders. The school she taught at for the
longest continuous period of time was Columbia Elementary School in Orange County Florida.

Irma was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. She attended services regularly and would
often teach children in bible school classes at the various churches she attended. Wherever she
lived, Irma and Raymond would join a local Church of Christ and become active members.

Irma (and Raymond) were fortunate to have enjoyed living in many beautiful and diverse
locations during their lifetimes. They began their married life together in Marianna, Florida, but
soon moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area. From there they moved to Baton Rouge,
Louisiana; then to the Oviedo, Florida area. Once their children reached adulthood, they
moved to Malibu, California. While Raymond was a professor at Pepperdine University, she
was fortunate to have experienced involvement in that university’s international studies
program that led to residing in Heidelberg, Germany and Florence, Italy. In retirement Irma and
Ray returned to where their path together had started, the panhandle of Florida.

Irma and Raymond loved to travel. Summer vacations almost always included travel to
various historical locations with their children. They visited almost every state in the United
States, sometimes bringing their grandchildren with them. They traveled extensively in Europe
and made many dear friends, particularly in the country of Austria.

Irma Ruth Key is survived by her sons Michael Ray Buchanan and Steven Jeffery Buchanan,
daughters, Mona Marie Buchanan and Natalie Renee Buchanan, nine grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Raymond and her parents Aera
and Vernon Key.

A private gathering of family will be held in her honor.

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