The H&R Block owner who was fatally shot by her son-in-law Monday in Downtown Fort Mill was remembered Saturday afternoon as a “kind and loving” Christian with a large family who loved her.
Deborah Elaine Buchanan, 68, of Charlotte, died Monday inside the Main Street office. Police say she was shot by her son-in-law, 39-year-old James Alexander Vinton of Rock Hill, who then fatally shot himself. A motive was not released. (Related story: Background Revealed on H&R Block Killer from Downtown Fort Mill)
Family and friends of Buchanan gathered Saturday for a Memorial Service at Trinity Baptist Church of Indian Land. (Click here to see full funeral on Facebook.)
Rev. Ricky Cope recalled being summoned to H&R Block on Monday afternoon and realizing that Buchanan’s daughter and employee, Crispin Rae Metcalf, was able to escape the gunfire by fleeing out back.
“I looked down that hall. … Bullet hole, bullet hole, bullet hole. Bullet through the glass,” Rev. Cope said. “How is she (Crispin) still here? It makes no sense.”
But he said he believes God was not done with Crispin yet. Rev. Cope said she also benefitted from her mother’s prayers to protect her children. (Story continues below)
In addition, the pastor talked Monday to the receptionist, who may have escaped harm with a sudden trip to Walmart, taking her away from the Main Street office during the gunfire. He said God intervened and may have sent her to Walmart.
“God is giving direction,” he said. “He is ordering steps of angels to move people and shift things and turn things because God said, ‘Look, look, I’m not done with you yet. It’s not your appointed time yet. Although it’s Mrs. Buchanan’s time, it is not your appointed time.’”
Born in Montezuma, Kansas, Buchanan was the owner of H&R Block franchises in Fort Mill, Indian Land, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Clover and York. She enjoyed working with her sewing machines and even made face coverings for anyone who needed one during the pandemic.
Buchanan is survived by her two daughters, Bevin Vinton of Rock Hill, Crispin Rae (Michael) Metcalf of Lancaster, SC; her brother, Mark (Ruth) Miller of Meade, KS; her grandchildren, Issac (Heather) Walrath of York, SC, Joshua Metcalf of Lancaster, SC, Barbara Stricker of Columbia, SC, Deborah Buchanan, Michelle (Austin) Holland, Amber Stricker, and Shelbie Metcalf, all of Lancaster, SC; her four great-grandkids, Bryson, James, Ariane, and Caleb; her nephew, Jason (Karrie) Miller and their kids of Meade, KS.
Memorials may be made in Mrs. Buchanan’s name to South State Bank, PO Box 29716., Fort Mill, SC 29716.