Jean Devenny Buchanan

Jean Patricia DeVenny Buchanan, affectionately known as “Mean Jean”, passed away on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at the age of 90, with her family by her side.
Jean was a daughter of the late Leonard Wallace DeVenny, Sr. and Nellie Madeline Hicks DeVenny, having been born on July 6, 1935 in Alleghany County, Virginia into a large family. She was a graduate of Central High School in Low Moor, and served in the United States Army Women’s Corp. She was a lifelong resident of Longdale Station Road, Clifton Forge, where she shared her life and raised her family with Murray F. “Bubbie” Buchanan, Jr., the love of her life. During Mrs. Buchanan’s lifetime, she was one of the early daycare providers in the Alleghany Highlands, keeping many children which allowed young mothers to enter the workforce to support their families, and one child in particular stole her heart, Kevin Zane Walton. She was very active in supporting all Alleghany High School Sports teams from the 1970’s until her health began to fail during her later years. She was proud to have been enshrined into the Alleghany Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame for her efforts to ensure that student athletes were fed prior to their respective sporting events, and also to be a veteran that served her country.
In addition to her parents and beloved husband, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Barbara Wilkerson, Ann Jabbour, Gladys Jeffries, and Martha Boucher; a brother, Leonard Wallace DeVenny, Jr.; two sons-in-law, Louis “Louie” Nicely and Thomas “Tommy” Porter; and an infant great granddaughter, Callie Nicely.
She is survived by four daughters, Terri Fortier (Paul) of West Milan, NH, Tammy Nicely of Clifton Forge, Reena Anderson (Craig) of Eagle Rock, and Tracie Porter of Millboro; two sons, Murray F. “Buddy” Buchanan III (Diane) of Glen Wilton, and David W. Buchanan (Jan) of Clifton Forge; a sister, Ina Cale (J.D.) of Covington; thirteen grandchildren, Chrissy F. Bump, Blair Nicely, Chad Nicely, Danielle F. St. Onge, Murray “Bobby” Buchanan, Katie B. Weese, Michael Buchanan, Heather Buchanan, Bryan Buchanan, Kayla B. Paxton, Sam Anderson, Daniel Anderson, and Jonathan Anderson; twenty great grandchildren; her special friend, Carla J. Scruggs; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clifton Forge with Father Dan Kelly officiating, assisted by Father Ernest Dugah. Interment will follow in Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Low Moor. Pallbearers will be Mrs. Buchanan’s grandsons, Blair Nicely, Chad Nicely, Bobby Buchanan, Michael Buchanan, Bryan Buchanan, Sam Anderson, Jonathan Anderson, Daniel Anderson, and Justin Paxton. Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements. The family will visit with friends on Friday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home with the Rosary to be read at 5:30 PM, just prior to visitation. Friends may also call at the residences of Buddy Buchanan and Tracie Porter.
The family suggests memorial contributions take the form of contributions to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 620 Jefferson Ave., Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or the Alleghany Humane Society, 9313 Selma-Low Moor Rd, Covington, VA 24426.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com