Lucien "Gerald" Buchanan, age 85, went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2022, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, MS.

Gerald was born July 26, 1937, in Forrest County, Mississippi to Melba Olive Griffith Buchanan and Williard Lucien Buchanan. A lifelong scholar, he graduated from Forrest County Agriculture High School before earning a bachelor's degree from William Carey University and a master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Gerald's career as a high school English teacher and librarian reflected his love of reading and learning. He was rarely without a book and loved puns related to grammar and wordplay. Gerald could often be seen sporting a Clan Buchanan tartan shirt or Mississippi State gear. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and dedicated endless hours to research and genealogy, filling dozens of binders and outlining the family tree over the course of many decades. Gerald also had a green thumb and spent much of his time outside gardening.

Gerald and Dottie enjoyed taking the back roads on their journeys to visit family and attend Southern Gospel concerts across the country. Ever responsible, he always sat in the driver's seat and kept strictly to the speed limit. Gerald was a relatively quiet man, but could crack a clever joke, share knowledge, or tell stories sprinkled with his classic catchphrase, "and so forth like that."

As a lover of music, Gerald amassed an assortment of hymnals, pianos, and CDs throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed collecting many different versions of "Amazing Grace," and was a talented pianist who played at various churches over the years. He was a member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church of Clinton, MS.

Gerald is preceded in death by his parents Melba and Lucien Buchanan, sister Mary Young, daughters Kay Burlison and Donna Lucas, and granddaughter Karleigh Harfst. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Dottie, of Clinton, MS; siblings David Buchanan (Sharon) of VanCleave, MS, Louise Holmes of Hattiesburg, MS, and Jim Buchanan (Melinda) of Columbus, MS; daughter Cynthia Harfst (Jim) of Pheba, MS; grandchildren Lauren Fay (Brendan) of Durham, NC, Amanda Harfst of Starkville, MS, and Ryan Harfst of Starkville, MS.

Gerald was supportive of higher education and generously donated his remains as an anatomical gift to University of Mississippi Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mississippi Baptist Children's Village (PO Box 27, Clinton, MS 39060-0027) or Batson Children's Hospital at UMMC (Development Accounting, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216).

A visitation will be held at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Clinton, MS on Friday, August 26 from 9:00-11:00 AM, followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM.