Austell’s Precious to celebrate milestone 100th birthday 

Centenarian in waiting, Precious Doris Buckner, is turning 100 this year. Family and friends will gather with her to celebrate this milestone birthday at a party on January 20 at Azalea Gardens in Mableton. Born on January 27, 1923, she recently moved from Detroit, Michigan to the South Cobb community of Austell. Ms. Buckner credits her longevity to a good night’s sleep.

Helping to celebrate her milestone will be members of her large family including two sons, Charles and Michael Petross, several grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.

A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Detroit College of Law, her professional career includes serving as the first black and female labor mediator for the State of Michigan, working as a staff attorney for UAW-GM Legal Services, and serving as the first black personnel manager for Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. She later became the first black female Personnel and Labor Relations Director of Hurley.

Ms. Buckner’s civic roles included serving as President of the Y.W.C.A of Greater Flint and the National Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of America. She was awarded the Nina Mills Woman of Achievement Award from the Greater Flint Y.W.C.A. and named Woman of the Year by the Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee Chapter of Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Ms. Buckner is a lifetime member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, joining in 1941. She was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan.