Dr. Joseph S. Buffington

Dr. Joseph S. Buffington “Dr. Joe” was born on February 19, 1945, in Atlanta, Georgia to Joseph Evon and Flora Ella Buffington. He passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2024 at the age of 79. Dr. Joe graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina earning a Bachelor of Science degree where he wrestled on the wrestling team. After graduation, he went to medical school at Duke University where he also completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency. Following his residency, he joined the Army, and he served five years as head of the OB/GYN departments in Nurnberg, Germany and later at Walter Reed Army Hospital. In 1981 he left the Army to go into private practice at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Maryland. During his OBGYN career, he delivered over 3,000 babies.

Dr. Joe met his wife, Elizabeth “Bette” Cobb, at Duke University Hospital where she was a nurse. They were married at Duke University Chapel on September 7, 1973. In 1975 he joined the Army and the family with their three children moved to Nurnberg, Germany where he was head of the OBGYN department. While there, the family traveled extensively. They enjoyed many adventures camping throughout Europe, and skiing the Austrian and Swiss Alps.. In 1979, Dr. Joe and his family left the Army and moved to Olney, Maryland where he started his private OB-Gyn practice. Dr. Joe loved boating on the Chesapeake Bay and spending time in St. John, USVI, and Sunset Beach, NC. He also enjoyed attending mass every Sunday and was a devout member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Olney.

Dr. Joe loved to help and support his family. From coaching to giving medical advice to putting up Christmas lights, he was always there for them. He was quiet in demeanor but had a dry sense of humor and imparted many memorable quotes of wisdom. Over the past 24 years, he valiantly battled Parkinson’s disease. He was unbelievably resilient and kept a positive attitude throughout it all. His motto was “Never give up.”

Dr. Joe is survived by his wife Bette, his three children Joe Buffington, Whit Cobb, and Francie Cobb Wright, his eleven grandchildren Lily, Jeb, Grace, Emily, Katie, Daniel, Andrew, Cameron, Trevor, Nate, and Daphne.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 15th from 6 pm to 8 pm at Barber Funeral Home at 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville, MD 20882. Funeral mass will be held Friday, August 16th at 10 am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church 2900 Olney Sandy Spring Rd. Olney, MD 20832. After the service, a reception will be held at 1pm at 21020 Layton Ridge Drive Laytonsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research http://www.michaeljfox.org/.

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