Sallie Mae Buckhalter was born on November 8, 1936 to the late Alfred and Sallie Taylor. She was the second youngest of nine children of this union.

Sallie, "Mama", "Tee" or Mrs. Buckhalter loved reading her bible and reciting poems. Her greatest joy and richest legacy is her family. She was adamant that her grandchildren knew each other. And to this end made sure that their summers were spent at her and "granddaddy's" home on pallets on the living room floor. Her constant admonition to those she loved, was "family is all you got".

Sallie remained a faithful member of Christian Hill Missionary Baptist Church after her confession of faith in Christ. She attended faithfully until her health failed.

Sallie Mae or "Sal" as her late husband, "Bully", James Buckhalter called her went to "Be around the throne" on August 26, 2024.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Buckhalter; her parents, Alfred and Sallie Taylor; grandchildren, Desi Shepherd and Brittany Buckhalter as well as her brothers; Nick, Alfred, Joe and Emmit Taylor, and her sisters, Emma Taylor, Ruthie Williams and Mary Washington.

Sallie Mae (Nee Little) Taylor united in holy matrimony to James Buckhalter on October 14, 1955 and of this union nine children remain to hold fond and loving memories of them both: Alice Buckhanan of Jackson, MS, Cendy (Frank) Pargo of Brooksville, MS, James (Mary Ann) Buckhalter of El Paso, TX, Callie (Joseph) Buckhalter-Horne of Cibiolo, TX, Elvis Buckhalter of Cheseapeake, VA, Gregory (Tuesday) Buckhalter of Cibiolo, TX, Sallie (Michael) Johnson of Jackson, MS, Geneva Buckhalter of Columbus, MS, and Marvin Buckhalter of Monroe, LA; two sisters, Lou Lee Taylor and Annie Pearl (Coty) Rice both of Macon, MS; nineteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Annie (Ivory) Green of Columbus, MS, and Martha Buckhalter of Detroit, MI and brothers-in-law, Charlie Buckhalter of Columbus, MS, Henry (Carmelita) Buckhalter of Detroit, MI and Eddie (Mary) Buckhalter of Riverdale, IL;  and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.