Vilma Ella Buford

Vilma Ella Lacey-Buford passed away in her home peacefully on the morning of July 7, 2025, at the age of 96. Vilma loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and hosts of nieces and nephews. Vilma was preceded in death by her husband Irving James Buford Jr, “Junior”; her mother Luella Milton-Lacey; father Issac Lacey; brother William Issac Lacey, (Daisy Mae); sister Ernestine Lacey- Carrawell; as well as her four sisters-in-law, Shirley, Louise, Claudia and three brothers-in-law Richard, Gerald, Kenneth and their dear spouses. Vilma leaves behind two sons Irving J. Buford III (Lucinda) and Steven M Buford (Lori), three grandchildren Irving J Buford, IV (Sindy); Dorothy E. Vilma Buford MacPhail (Chris); LaToya Annette Buford (Sean); great grandchildren Mikayla MacPhail, Mathias MacPhail, Major MacPhail, Kaylee Buford, Jaylene Buford, Adalyn Aguilar, Emily Aguilar and a whole host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Vilma was born February 19, 1929, in Saint Louis Missouri during the great depression. She moved to Sacramento, California at the age of 19 and got a job with the State of California and met her one and only true love Irving James Buford Jr. They were married on August 30, 1952. Over the next 42 years together they raised their kids and enjoyed spending time with their grandkids until Junior passed away from lung cancer August 11, 1994.

Vilma never stopped enjoying learning along with using new technology. She went back to night school in the early 70s and earned her Associate of Arts degree specializing in Accounting. She loved using computers and spreadsheet software. Her Career with the State of California spanned some 39 years with three different state agencies including Department of Motor Vehicles, Employment Development Department, and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Vilma also loved helping others. So, after retiring from the state of California, she went back to work as a Call 3 volunteer for the local television station KCRA for some eleven years. Following that, Vilma volunteered at Kaiser Hospital South Sacramento for another decade plus working in the hospital gift shop.

Vilma stayed active and always on the go, including driving her car until her health began to decline in November 2023. Even then she still managed to stay in touch with family and friends using her IPAD, Facetime, Facebook, and Messenger to keep up with those she was close to as well as maintaining her monthly finances.

Friends and family are welcome to attend Vilma’s viewing Tuesday, July 22, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 9189 East Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624. Her Celebration of Life will be held the next day, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the same location. Instead of sending flowers, the family is asking you to donate to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.