“I had leukemia. It went in remission in 2004. I didn’t know what it was. I knew of cancer, but I hadn’t dealt with nobody with leukemia. I just told God, ‘I don’t know what it is, but I know you’ve got a doctor somewhere that you can work through to heal me.’ It did happen. The thing of it is, I’ve had about 15 doctors since I went in remission that told me that I ain’t supposed to be living with the kind that I had.” – Bobby Buckner of Sylacauga.

Buckner lives a simple life and likes to watch shows that make him reflect on when he was growing up.

Bobby Buckner has survived leukemia and enjoys keeping to himself and watching classic television shows. (Tamika Moore / People of Alabama)

“All I do is sit at the house and play gospel music and play blues and watch ‘Gunsmoke’ and ‘(The) Waltons’ and just try to mind my own business, try to talk to my children and grandchildren. I would like to see all of them get a good education and do something to help other folks,” he said.

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.