Finding information about someone you’ve lost is never easy. Honestly, it’s usually the last thing you want to be doing on a Tuesday afternoon. When you’re looking for Buie Funeral Home obituaries, you aren’t just looking for a name and a date. You’re looking for a story. You’re looking for a way to say goodbye.
But there is a lot of confusion out there.
There are actually two different businesses with the same name. One is in Arkansas—serving Sheridan and Rison—and the other is in North Carolina. It’s a small detail, but it’s a big deal if you’re trying to find a service time before the weekend.
The Two "Buie" Homes: Don't Get Them Mixed Up
Let’s clear this up right away because it’s the number one mistake people make.
If you are looking for Buie Funeral Home obituaries in Arkansas, you are likely looking for the business now known as Buie & Cole Funeral Home. They have two primary locations. One is at 1301 South Rock Street in Sheridan, and the other is at 302 Main Street in Rison. This family-run operation has been around for nearly a century. Literally. They started back in 1926.
Then you have Buie’s Funeral Home in Raeford, North Carolina. This one is located at 543 Vass Road. It’s also a deeply historical spot, being Hoke County’s first Black-owned funeral establishment, opened by Edward and Pauline Terry Buie in 1938.
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Same name. Very different locations. Make sure you're on the right website before you start scrolling through the archives.
Finding the Arkansas Records
For those in Cleveland or Grant County, Arkansas, the search for Buie Funeral Home obituaries changed a little bit recently. In 2018, Wesley and Donna Cole bought the business.
Since then, the digital records have been moved to the Cole Funeral Homes website. If you're looking for someone who passed away recently, like Troy Lynn McDaniel or Theresia Gale Neely (both in early 2026), you’ll find them listed under the "In Our Care" section of the Cole site.
Why the name changed
You might see the signs say "Buie & Cole" now.
Basically, the Coles wanted to keep the legacy of the Buie family alive while acknowledging the new ownership. They even expanded to Kensett and Vilonia. It’s a lot to keep track of, but the core service for Rison and Sheridan remains the same.
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How to use the archive
- Recent services: These are usually right on the homepage.
- Search bar: Don't just type the first name. Use the last name for better results.
- Tribute Wall: This is where you can actually leave a comment. People often post photos here that you won’t see in the official newspaper write-up.
The North Carolina Connection
If your search led you to Raeford, NC, you’re looking at a different history. The Buie’s Funeral Home there has been in the family for five generations.
Their obituaries are often hosted on their own dedicated portal or through sites like Legacy. For example, a recent celebration of life for Mary Leak in January 2026 was handled there. Their site is a bit more traditional, focused heavily on the Raeford and Hoke County area.
What Happens if the Records Are Missing?
Sometimes you search and find... nothing. It’s frustrating.
There's a reason for that in Arkansas. A fire once destroyed a huge chunk of the Buie records. Because of that, the Cleveland County Library in Rison stepped in to help. They worked with the funeral home to transcribe what was left.
If you are doing genealogy and looking for someone who passed away before 1941, you might be out of luck for official funeral home records. The archives mostly start after that date.
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Expert Tip: If the website doesn't have what you need, call the Cleveland County Library. They have an index of these records that isn't always fully searchable on Google.
Writing Your Own Tribute
When families look for Buie Funeral Home obituaries, they often have to write one themselves. It’s a heavy task.
Don't feel like it has to be a stiff, formal document. The best obituaries I’ve read lately—like the ones for Delca English or Sammy Kendall—mention the little things. They talk about bargain shopping, playing "Words with Friends," or a 61-year marriage.
People remember the person, not the list of memberships they held.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you are currently trying to locate a service or a past record, follow this path:
- Confirm the State: Are you looking in Arkansas (Sheridan/Rison) or North Carolina (Raeford)?
- Check Cole Funeral Homes: For Arkansas obituaries from 2018 to 2026, this is your primary source.
- Contact the Library: For historical Rison/Sheridan records between 1941 and the early 2000s, the Cleveland County Library is a better bet than a search engine.
- Use Social Media: Both funeral homes frequently post service updates on their Facebook pages faster than they update their websites.
- Verify the Location: If you're heading to a service, double-check if it's at the South Rock Street chapel or a local church. Many services are held at places like Oak Grove Missionary Baptist or Mt. Zion United Methodist.
Navigating loss is hard enough without digital hurdles. By knowing which "Buie" you're looking for and where the older records are hidden, you can spend less time searching and more time reflecting.