While those who knew and loved him say Robbie Buford left the life he loved too soon, he spent his last day happy and among many of those same people.

Buford, 54, died Aug. 27 after spending the day with his church family at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church from a heart attack. He was buried at the same church on Friday.

Buford, known to many as “Chic,” or “Mr. B,” was a math teacher at Lafayette High School for almost 20 years until his health started to deteriorate and he suffered from strokes and continuing complications including amputation of his leg.

But despite the pain and health problems, Buford continued to love life.

He was born in Abbeville to Lucinda Buford and James McGhee. He graduated from Lafayette High School in 1981 and went on to  receive a degree in mathematics from the University of Mississippi in 1985.

“He was a math genius,” said his sister Candy Smith.

Buford also coached tennis and was a life-long member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He loved most sports and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Lafayette Commodores and Ole Miss Rebels.

Buford’s sister, Candy Smith, said her brother’s smile was ever-present.

“He was always happy though,” she said. “He loved people. He loved life.”

When word of his death spread throughout Oxford and Lafayette County, former students and teachers called Buford the “best teacher” and a man who “inspired everyone he met.”

When he wasn’t teaching at LHS or coaching, he spent hours tutoring both high school and college students.

Lafayette County School Superintendent Adam Pugh said he had the pleasure of being a principal at Lafayette High School while Buford was a math teacher.

“He was a great guy who loved teaching and loved students,” Pugh said. “He never seemed to have a bad day. He was always smiling and enjoying his job – his calling – every day. He also loved Lafayette athletics. He will truly be missed by many people.

A scholarship fund has been created in Buford’s name through the Create Foundation. Checks can be mailed to: Create Foundation, P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802. Write Robbie Buford Scholarship Fund in “for” blank and make checks payable to Create Foundation. Or visit www.createfoundation.com to make a donation online.