Ralph Buster

Ralph DeWitt Buster, of Sardis, passed away peacefully to be with his Lord on Thursday, July 22, 2010. Services are scheduled for Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church officiated by his pastor, Dr. Bill Gardner. The family will receive friends Friday from 5p.m. to 7p.m. at Selma Funeral Home. Mr. Buster was preceded in death by his dear wife, Jennie Traylor Buster, his loving parents, William Russell Buster Sr. and Daisy Feulner Buster, and his beloved nephew, Benjamin Donaldson Buster. Mr. Buster is survived by his daughter, Kendall Buster Allen and husband, Siemon Allen of Richmond, Virginia; his sister, Virginia Buster Hollinger, and his brother, William Russell Buster Jr. and sister-in-law, Betty Burke Buster. He was blessed with being always surrounded by a large and loving extended family and is also survived by niece, Caroline Hollinger Anderson and nephews, Shannon Raphael Hollinger, and William Russell Buster III; great nieces, Anne Buster Payne, Elizabeth Anderson Radford, Brooke Buster Glennon, and Virginia Oakes Anderson; and great nephews, William Russell Buster IV, John Burke Buster, Benjamin Reid Buster, and Shannon Raphael Hollinger III. Most dear to his heart was being a lifelong member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Sardis. He served as a Sunday School Teacher and a Deacon, and in 2004 was honored with the title of Deacon Emeritus. Born in Sardis in 1924, Mr. Buster graduated from Selma High School and served through the civil service on the military flight line at Craig Air Force Base before becoming Post Master at Sardis Post Office in 1954. In 42 years of service his work extended well beyond his duties as postmaster and his generous spirit touched many lives in the rural community. Mr. Buster was a gifted storyteller with a keen interest in local history and a remarkable memory for names and dates. He will be remembered as a deeply compassionate man who lived his faith daily, with gentle humor and profound kindness. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Shiloh Baptist Church, 5441 Alabama Highway 41, Sardis, Alabama 36775 or a favorite charity.