The South Dakota Cowgirl

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Another Loss

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Regular readers know that we’ve seen our share of senseless deaths in the last two years. And it’s happened again. My friend, Jaime, was killed on Saturday morning. Needless to say we’re all (all of us that knew her) are shaken with the event.

From the Denton Record Chronicle:
Woman killed when her SUV strikes tree

11:23 PM CST on Saturday, February 13, 2010

By Candace Carlisle / Staff Writer

A 32-year-old woman was killed early Saturday after she failed to navigate a curve in the 12800 block of Mustang Road in Denton County and hit a tree, said Trooper Lonny Haschel, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Jamie Buckingham was killed instantly at about 1:30 a.m. when she hit the tree, which penetrated the driver’s seat of her sport utility vehicle, Haschel said.

There were no witnesses to the accident.

Later that morning, a passerby saw the woman in the vehicle and notified authorities, he said.

I heard about the crash first thing when I got online Saturday morning through another friend of ours. Jaime is a month younger than me. We grew up rodeoing together and had stayed in touch all these years. I just helped her sell a horse a month or so ago. She was always the first to say Hi. You could go a while without seeing her and she was always the same! You could count on Jaime to always be smiling, joking, and causing some sort of trouble. We loved her for that.Her aunt was our rodeo secretary all through high school; I still see her Aunt, and her daughter (Jaime’s cousin) at barrel races whenever I am back.

Her Obituary was published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram:

Jaime Lynn Buckingham (1977-2010)

Jaime Lynn Buckingham, 32, was granted her angel wings Saturday, Feb. 13 2010.
Funeral: 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist of Denton. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at DeBerry Funeral Directors.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Children’s Camp, Denton Elks Lodge #2446, 228 E. Oak St., Denton, Texas 76201.
She was born Nov. 28, 1977, in Dallas to Tommy Jeter and Kathy Erwin. Jaime graduated from Lewisville High School in May 1996. She married Brian “Bucky” Buckingham of Saginaw on April 28, 2001. Jaime and Bucky brought a beautiful baby girl, Kynlee Lane Buckingham, into this world March 14, 2002. She worked for Jeter Three Inc.
Survivors: Husband, Brian “Bucky”; and daughter, Kynlee Buckingham, 7, of Aubrey

She will be sorely missed. On a positive side, I’m about to get to see some folks that I haven’t seen in 14 or more years and while this death is tragic and senseless, it will bring many people together again.

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Kristen says

    I am so sorry for your loss. That poor little girl, I can’t imagine my children having to grow up without me. We had some losses in the last few days ourselves. A friend of ours brother was driving to the track (he’s a jockey) and was in a vehicle accident, he was killed. Then last night a friend committed suicide. Death is no doubt a tragedy and is hard for the loved ones left behind to make sense of. Thoughts go out to you.

    Reply

  8. Mandie says

    I am SOOOOOOOOO SORRY for your loss, know you and everyone down there are in my prayers. It is going to be a hard road for many there I am sure. May the LORD comfort y’all and help you to remember the great times together. I am truly sorry!!

    Reply

  9. della says

    I’m saddened to hear of this tragic loss. Finding comfort in God’s word at times like these are the best way to find peace and assurance of better things to come for all of us. The Bible speaks of giving thanks in everthing. I’m sure that you have much to be thankful for by knowing this young lady and the joy she has brought to your life through the years. Think on the good and rejoice in the Lord. Also, keep her memory alive by writing a story to be given to her young daughter in years to come to help her know her mother.

    Reply

    • ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~ says

      Thank you all for your kind words!

      Della- you’re exactly right- and the Pastor presiding over the service, who also grew up with the group of us, did a great job in celebrating her life; telling us to seize each day as our last! I love the idea of writing a story. That’s some of the best advice ever!

      Reply

  10. Renee says

    I was just thinking of Jaime and a quick search found your blog — not sure if I know you — I did AASPRC and was at the funeral, but late – had to stand outside in the hall and look through the doors – the chapel was full. She was darling – LuLu – fun to watch ride – she had a unique style — and the prettiest smile and — before she cut it – the most beautiful long brown hair. Her and my brother were sweethearts for a while. I miss her!
    Sorry for your sadness, too.

    Reply

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