Earnesteen (Tena) Buck, born to John and Maudie Green in Merrimack, Alabama on August 18,
1936, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2024, at the age of 88 in Fresno,
CA. One of nine children, the family moved to California to work in the fields of Riverdale, CA. Tena
was a graduate of Riverdale High School where she played the clarinet in the school band. She
began her professional journey as one of the first switchboard operators for PacBell Telephone
Company after high school where she met her lifelong friend Betty Nickel. She soon met her
husband, Harlen Buck and they were married in 1955. They had their first daughter, Pam, in
1957 and completed their family with their second daughter, Cindy, the following year.
After the telephone company she became the Financial Aid Director at Heald College before
joining back up with Betty at H&R Block. She would dedicate over 40 years working at H&R
Block preparing taxes and creating lifelong friendships with her coworkers, such as Pam Bolin,
who she spent her last days visiting with.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Tena enjoyed a variety of hobbies. She was known for her
love of gambling, beginning with shooting dice and playing the slot machines in Lake Tahoe to
playing bingo at Table Mountain. In earlier years, she was an avid bowler, sharing many games
with her friends Betty and Nick.
She leaves behind a loving family, including her daughter Cindy Pishione, sister Rebecca Ruth,
grandchildren Cassi Infante, Cameron Pishione, Devon Bressler, and Andrew Buck, as well as
great-grandchildren Alexandra Pishione, Layton Infante, Gavin Bressler, and Holden Bressler,
as well as many nieces and nephews. Tena was preceded in death by her beloved husband
Harlen Buck, daughter Pamela Buck, lifelong friends Betty and Joe Nickel, and her siblings John
Green Jr., Daniel Green, Charles Green, Hollis Green, Juanita Bolin, Elizabeth Beasley, and
Marie Merryman.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 14th from 4-7pm at Clovis Funeral Chapel. A
graveside service is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th at 10am at Belmont Memorial
Park, with a reception to follow at Belmont Country Club. Her life will be celebrated among
family and friends, reflecting on a life well-lived and cherished.