Sally Kemp Dawson Buford, 77, of Brevard, North Carolina passed away, Thursday, March 31st, 2016 at the Oaks of Brevard. A native of Urbana, Illinois, Sally graduated from Urbana High School, class of '56 and attended Defiance College, Defiance, Ohio. She lived in St. Joseph, Illinois for 38 years, during which time she faithfully served thousands of students as an admissions officer at the University of Illinois, retiring in 1999. She moved to Brevard in 2005 to be with her family. Sally was a loving mother and was loved dearly by her family and many friends. She was known for warming hearts with her contagious smile. A long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, Illinois, she was an avid bridge player, loved animals, and enjoyed antiquing and gardening. Sally was the daughter of the late Mildred and Alva "Barney" Dawson of St. Joseph, Illinois. In addition to her parents, her husband John Buford and in-laws Fred and Merlene Buford of Dallas, Texas and grandson Randall Buford of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina preceded her in death. Surviving are her son, John Buford and wife, Mindy of Pisgah Forest; grandson Dustin Buford of Pisgah Forest; brother Stuart Dawson and sister-in-law, Ellen, of York Harbor, Maine; sister-in-law Harriet Ristevski and husband, Zivko, of Plano, Texas; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, remembrance can be made through a donation in honor of Sally Buford to the Champaign County Illinois Humane Society. A graveside service will be held at the Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, on Saturday, April 16th at 4:00PM. Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.