Twila Buffington

On July 8th, 2024 Twila J Buffington passed away from Parkinson’s and Dementia. A celebration of her life will be held on July 17th, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Laufersweiler Funeral Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Twila Buffington was born July 26, 1941 to Morris and Ertle Anderson in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She married Daniel (Dan) Buffington on November 9, 1962. They relocated in 1977 with their two children, Tamra and David to Mebane, NC.

Twila worked for Durham County Mental Health Department since 1985 in Children’s Services, Adult Services and Administration. She had fond memories of her time spent with the Sara Barker Developmental Center for special needs children. She retired from the County on February 28, 2007.

Twila had a lifelong love for the natural world and had been extensively involved in 4H since childhood in Iowa and in NC as an adult leader. She became a local 4H leader during her time in Mebane. She held District and State Offices for the NC State Leaders Association. She was a 1993 National 4-H Award Winner for work done as a 4-H Volunteer in the Natural Resources Area. Twila was awarded a special trip to Alaska in March 1994 where she represented North Carolina at the 58th Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Twila considered this honor one of the highlights of her life.

Twila was active in the National Wildlife Federation for over 30 years, serving on committees, participating in many conferences and lobbying in Washington, DC on behalf of conservation efforts in the State of North Carolina.

Twila served as Secretary and Executive Board member for the North Carolina Wildlife Federation from 2004-2006. She served as Director at Large for 10 years and received a 1993 Special Award for Environmental Work with 4-H Youth at the Annual Governor Award Banquet.

Twila was also passionate about gardening and was very active in the local Mebane gardening club for over 30 years. There was nothing she loved more than working out in her backyard, planting and landscaping.

Twila was a kind-hearted and generous person, greatly beloved by her family, her friends and neighbors. 

Twila is survived by daughter Tamra Johnson (Tim) of Durham, NC and son David Buffington (Brooke), granddaughter Lyla Buffington of Elon, NC, brothers David Anderson (Jeannie), Ronnie Anderson (Norma), both of Fort Dodge, IA, sisters Marilyn Horvath of Elkhart, IN, and Becky Johnson (Tom) of Mystic, IA, and nieces and nephews.

Twila was proceeded in death by husband, Daniel Buffington, her parents, brother, Roger Anderson and wife Carol Anderson and brother-in-law, John Horvath.

The family would like to issue a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Twin Lakes Community for the outstanding care Twila received there for several years, as well as the local AuthoraCare (Hospice) who assisted in her final days.

In Lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to:

Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

PO Box 5014

Hagertown MD 21741

Or Online: www.Michaeljfox.org