A funeral mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Dec. 18, 2024, at St. Peter Catholic Parish in Grenada for Mr. Dan Ferguson Buzzarde, 87, of Grenada, who died on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at his residence. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Park. A repast followed at St. Peter Parish Family Life Center. The family held visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary immediately followed visitation in the Chapel of McKibben and Guinn.
Dan was born on Nov. 9, 1937, in Greenwood, the son of the late LaVerne Ernest Sr. and the late Tine Etta Ferguson Buzzarde. He honorably served our country in both the United States Navy and the United States Air Force. He worked for many years as the night auditor at The Monte Cristo Restaurant and Motel and also as a night auditor at Sunburst Bank. Dan spent his last years of his working life at Heatcraft and then Luvata in Grenada.
A truly devout Catholic, Dan was a faithful member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Grenada. He served in the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd and 4th Degree Knight and as a Grand Knight. Dan found solace in writing books, poetry and song lyrics. His works include, “Dragons Don’t Cry,” “The Late Great Christmas,” and “Dirge For The Angels,” available on Amazon. His poetry was published in the “America at the Millennium, The Best Poems and Poets of the 20th Century,” “Outstanding Poets of 1998,” “Best Poems of 1997,” and “American Poetry Anthology 1983.” He also enjoyed Ole Miss football and keeping up with the Manning family.
In addition to his parents, his sister, Wanda Camille Buzzarde; his brother, L.E. Buzarde Jr., and one daughter, Mary Theresa Carr Ambron, preceded Dan in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 32 years, Rosa Messina Mardis Buzzarde “Miss Rosie;” daughters, Susan Allen of Clinton, Karol Moss of Judsonia, Ark., and Danette Woods (Kevin) of Mobile, Ala.; stepdaughters, Mary Theresa Mardis of Grenada and Margherita Davenport (Randy) of Stockton, Calif.; stepsons, Jim Mardis (Pamela) of Mount Dora, Fla., Joe Mardis of Jackson, Pat Mardis of Grenada and John Mardis (Breianna) of Water Valley; 19 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Pallbearers included, Christopher Kyle Lusk, Robert Dan Ellis Moss, Joe Liberto, Bob Holland, Raymond Liberto, Luther Owens and David Livingston. Honorary pallbearers included, Kevin Woods, Randy Davenport, Buddy Honeycutt and Michael Liberto.
In lieu of flowers, please consider offering a mass in memory of Dan or make a tax-deductible charitable contribution to “The Catholic Foundation,” memo section “Messina Memorial Trust” and mail to: Catholic Foundation, P.O. Box 2248, Jackson, MS 39225-2248
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
