Anita Kennington Buchmeyer

Anita was born in New Boston, Texas to Elva Mae Clemens and Thomas Watson Kennington on December 5, 1936. She passed away on July 29, 2023. She was the youngest of nine Kennington children. At age 5, her family moved to Texarkana, Texas. There, she was educated and graduated from Texas High School in 1954. After graduation, she attended Texarkana Junior College and Henderson State Teachers College, where she pursued a degree in elementary education. During this time, Anita married Sam, the love of her life, on July 14, 1956. They eventually settled in Garland, Texas where they raised three children and established roots in the community through church, friendships, and careers. Anita taught school in the Garland Independent School District after eventually completing her degree at Texas Woman’s University at the age of 40. As a teacher, she touched the lives of so many young children. She was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” for her school in 1990. 1982 brought Anita her first grandchild and after that, she very lovingly became known as “Other Mama”. All of her grandchildren, her grandchildren’s friends, and even some of the friend’s parents called her Other Mama. Anita and Sam retired to Holly Lake Ranch in 1997 where they lived until 2015. There, she made many friends and was involved in various social activities. It was also the home of the famous “Cousins Camp”-the annual fun retreat for her eight grandchildren as they grew up. The memories our family shared there are countless. Although she was raised in the Baptist Church, she became a Methodist after getting married. She had memberships in Axe United Methodist Church in Garland and Hawkins First United Methodist Church in Hawkins. Her love of teaching was evident in the many years she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and church pre-school classes. She is preceded in death by her husband, Sam, parents, and eight siblings. She is survived by her three children, Melissa McIntire (David) of Tyler, Laura Taylor (Robyn) of Arlington, and Samuel C. (Kim) also of Arlington; sister-in-law, Winnie Beck; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. We will deeply miss our beloved matriarch and Other Mama, but her impact will be felt for generations to come, and we smile knowing that she is drinking coffee with her Sam for eternity. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler. Visitation will follow the service at the funeral home. If desired, memorials may be made to Heart to Heart Hospice, 7925 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 1140, Tyler, Texas, 75703 (www.hearttohearthospice.com).

Anita Kennington Buchmeyer

December 5, 1936 - July 29, 2023