Harold “Buddy” Maxwell Book, Sr., 91, of Larto, was welcomed into Heaven on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, while surrounded by loved ones at his home.
The service was held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 24 at Larto Baptist Church in Larto with Bro. Scotty McDowell, Bro. Kenny Smith and Bro. Clay Fuqua officiating. Interment followed at Pease Cemetery in Larto under the direction of Magnolia Funeral Home of Alexandria.
To know Buddy was to love him and to become his friend. He had a welcoming way about him that put you at ease, and you couldn’t help but smile and laugh at his many entertaining stories and jokes. He loved people, visiting, and a good cup of coffee and if he could combine the three even better.
His growing up years were spent on the river and in the woods. He went to the Boggy Bayou School on Black River and later attended Central High School in Larto where he was a member of the school’s first graduating class and participated in FFA and basketball on a dirt court.
His romance with his beloved bride grew out of letter writing during the nearly two years he served with the U.S. Army in Korea. Buddy and Margaret were married on October 27, 1956, at the courthouse in Natchez, Mississippi. When he was asked recently what he contributed to the success of their long marriage, he simply said, “Because I just love her,” and then when asked what he was going to do with their remaining time together, he added, “I’m going to keep on loving her.”
Buddy not only deeply loved his wife but also his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and he would do anything to take care of his family. In his lifetime, he had quite the string of jobs from farming and raising cattle and hogs to water and electric meter reading and driving the school bus, which he retired from after almost 30 years. His first jobs though were riding the Pony Express to deliver mail around Larto with his uncle, Les Nichols, and working on his family’s grocery boat. He also worked in commercial fishing and trapping, drove a fish truck, made fishing nets and even caught and sold green lizards for scientific research.
He loved music and singing old hymns and gospel songs, especially from the Gaither’s or Jimmy Swaggart, with constant tapping along with his boot to the music. He also enjoyed listening to a variety of music including bluegrass and classic country and songs from singers such as George Jones, Elvis and Fats Domino. One of his favorite songs was “The Last Cowboy,” which was written about him by his daughter.
Buddy was a devoted Christian ever since he accepted salvation in Jesus Christ while attending a revival in Larto in 1972. His salvation was an answer to his mother’s many years of prayers, and he shared God’s love with everyone he met. He genuinely cared about others, literally giving the shirt off his back if need be. His nickname, which was given to him at an early age by his mother, suited him well for he was a much-loved friend to many.
The family would like to thank the staff of All Saints Hospice and Chaplain Bro. Steve Jones for the special care shown to Buddy in his last months. Also special thanks goes to friends Ben and Norma Wiley for their continued care, along with the many others in the church family and community who helped in numerous ways.
Pallbearers were his grandsons, Andrew Book, Tyler Tarpley, Nathan Book, and three of his grandson-in-laws, Jonathan Brown, Bobby Lee and Ash Aulds.
Honorary pallbearers were Ben Wiley and his three other grandson-in-laws, Steven Smith, Alan Knotts, and Marcus Walker.
Buddy was born on September 3, 1933, to Ellis and Mattie (Nichols) Book in Book, Louisiana, and lived his entire life in the Larto Lake area. He never wanted to live anywhere else.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Willa Dean (Book) Bush and husband Ralph; brother, Roger Book; sister, Carol (Book) Rabalais and husband Lester; an infant granddaughter and an infant great-grandson.
Those left to cherish Buddy’s memory include his wife of 68 years, Margaret (Paulk) Book; one son, Harold Book, Jr. (Deb) of West Monroe; one daughter, Mellanie Book Randall (John David) of Jena; ten grandchildren, Andrew Book, Morgan Tarpley Smith (Steven), Lindsay Book Lee (Bobby), Amanda Book Brown (Jonathan), Tyler Tarpley (fiancé Brandi), Nathan Book (Taylor), Sarah Book Aulds (Ash), Casey Randall Knotts (Alan), Sarah Beth Randall and Hannah Randall Walker (Marcus); 26 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and a host of family members and friends, along with his church family at Larto Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a deacon and song leader for more than five decades.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Buddy’s name to Larto Baptist Church and mailed to Bro. Kenny Smith at 107 Hwy 3102, Jonesville, La 71343.