Evon (Tinsley) Buckta

Evon Tinsley Buckta passed away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026, at her home in Scottsville, Kentucky. She was born on June 28, 1943, in Warren County, Kentucky, to Elijah Harper Tinsley and Minnie Jane Loafman Tinsley.

Evon graduated as salutatorian from Alvaton High School in Alvaton, Kentucky, in 1961. She continued her education at Central College in McPherson, Kansas, and later at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1965. It was at Greenville College that she met the love of her life, Alan Buckta. The two were married in 1967 in Gallatin, Tennessee. She went on to achieve her master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1984.

A devoted educator, Evon taught in various schools throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. She retired in 2001 from Allen County Schools, where she was a beloved fifth-grade teacher at White Plains Elementary School. Her students remember her for her kindness, dedication, and steady encouragement.

Evon was an active member of White Plains Free Methodist Church and faithfully served alongside her husband as a pastor’s wife for 58 years. She led and organized numerous children’s and youth ministries, touching countless lives through her service, compassion, and unwavering faith.

Evon was deeply involved in ministry with her husband, greatly loved people, and people really loved her, but most of all she had a love and passion for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Evon is survived by her husband, Dr. Alan Maynard Buckta, of Scottsville, KY; daughters, Lana Marie Barbour, of Glasgow, KY, and Leslie Tyree Niswonger (John), of Wallace, KS; brother, Arrnie Andrew (Faye), of McMinnville, TN; sisters, Emma Lavelle Meeks, of New Castle, IN, and Emily Dean McAfee, of McMinnville, TN; grandchildren, Dylon Perry Niswonger, Caitlyn Anne Kinslow, Cody James Teeter, and Catherine Christine Cherry; and great-grandchildren, Chloe Anne Kinslow and Callie Beth Wade, along with many special nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elijah Harper Tinsley and Minnie Jane Loafman Tinsley; brothers, Eldon Tinsley, Grady Tinsley, Felix Tinsley, James Edward Tinsley, and Emery Calvin Tinsley; sisters, Lydia Dick, Irene Strausburg, and Avo Robertson; son-in-law, Scott Dayton Barbour; and grandson, Ryan Quaid Niswonger. Visitation and funeral services will be held at White Plains Free Methodist Church at 68 Sandy Oak, Scottsville, KY.

Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. for family and 4:00 p.m. for the public on Friday, January 16, and resume at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, with interment to follow at Allen County Memorial Gardens. Memorials can be written to Eagle Ridge Retreat Center at 8744 Barren River Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101 or White Plains Free Methodist Church Building Fund at 68 Sandy Oak Drive, Scottsville, KY 42164.  The service will be on White Plains FMC Facebook page.

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