Combat Boots To Cowboy Boots

Jean Bufford’s 101-Year-Old Story

A lady with white hair, glasses, and a blue and white striped shirt with flowers posing and smiling next to her first pair of red cowboy roper boots. A lady with white hair, glasses, and a blue and white striped shirt with flowers posing and smiling next to her first pair of red cowboy roper boots.

Jean Buford, a remarkable woman from Haskell, Texas, turned 101 years old in 2024. She has lived a life rich in history, resilience, and a profound affection for her hometown. During a sunny afternoon conversation, her eyes gleamed with memories as she fondly recalled her life's journey.

A close-up of Jean Buford’s hands represents her years of experience.

Having experienced 10 decades of life, she has memories of the Roaring ’20s, the Great Depression, World War II, & Vietnam War. She grew up playing baseball and football and riding her bike. "I think everyone should grow up in a small town," Jean replied with a nostalgic smile. "Everybody knew everybody. It was safe.”

Though touched by the challenges of the Great Depression, her childhood was filled with simple joys. "I just rode my bicycle and played baseball and football. I had the baseball bat and the football, so the boys had me play with them," she recalled, painting a picture of a carefree time.

Jean's family ran a flower shop and plant nursery, where she spent her days surrounded by blooms. "We had a flower shop and greenhouse nursery. Roses were my favorite," she shared her love for flowers evident in her voice.

Jean Buford, A lady with gray hair, glasses, and a blue and white striped shirt with flowers holding her brand new red roper boots for the first time.

Life took a serious turn for Jean during World War II. She served in the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), a role she described as being “auxiliary to the military”, a testament to her dedication and resilience in the face of adversity.

Despite the challenges of wartime, Jean found moments of joy and camaraderie. "There were about eight of us that worked in this WAVES post office. We had quite a bit of entertainment," she recalled, her eyes glinting with memories of laughter amidst adversity.

Post-war life saw Jean building a family and a career, always guided by her principles. "Obey the laws, the civil laws, and God's laws," she advised, sharing her wisdom gleaned from a century of living.

As our conversation drew to a close, Jean's unwavering faith and family values were palpable. “I believe the Lord has blessed me,” she reflected, her faith serving as a steadfast anchor in a world that was constantly changing.

Jean Buford's story is a testament to the strength of small-town values, the bonds of friendship forged in hardship, and the enduring power of faith and family. In her words and memories, we find echoes of a bygone era and timeless lessons for generations to come.

A few people from Justin Boots are posing with Jean Buford, who is presenting her boots. Jean is standing with a cane and showing off her new red boots by holding her pants legs up.

Having never owned cowboy boots before, the team at Justin presented her with her very own Red Holland 10" Ropers.

Jean Buford sitting in a chair barefoot, trying on her red roper boots for the first time.

Thank you, Jean Buford, for your service.

A lady with gray hair, glasses, and a blue and white striped shirt with flowers poses and talks to someone off camera, looking away from the camera.