I was not close to the man and only met him once but his obituary is a glimpse into the lineage from which I come.

SHREVEPORT, LA- Graveside services honoring the life of Martin Lawrence “Buster” Brown, 96, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday February 9, 2012 at Forest Park East Cemetery on St. Vincent Avenue. Visitation with the family will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday February 8, 2012, at Rose-Neath’s Southside Chapel.

Martin was born on May 9, 1915 in Ulysses, PA to Herbert and Luella Brown. Martin, his parents, and siblings traveled across the United States from his early childhood to his early teens playing Vaudeville, circuses, and other various engagements as The Brown Family Band. After the family settled in Shreveport, he attended Fair Park High School where he played cornet and directed the band. He was a local musician here in Shreveport for years and was sought after as a master mechanic. He was affectionately known as “Buster Brown” by family and friends. Martin went home to be with his Lord on Saturday evening February 4, 2012. Preceding him in death were his parents and siblings; wife, Ethel Brown; daughters, Mary Benoit and Betty Berry; and son-in-law, Charles F. Berry. He is survived by his son, Waylon Brown and wife, Nan; daughter, Melody Decker and husband, Rev. Ed Decker; and son-in-law, Joseph Benoit, Jr. He was blessed with seven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren who all referred to him lovingly as “PawPaw.”