Emmett Howell Cantwell

Emmett Howell “Buster” Cantwell, age 91, of Shreveport, Louisiana was called home to his Heavenly Father on May 16, 2023.

Buster was born on October 14, 1931, in Shreveport, LA.  Buster was a 1949 graduate of C.E. Byrd High School.  He furthered his education at Centenary College, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1953.  In September of 1954, he entered Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and received the Bachelor of Divinity degree in July 1957, and the Master of Theology degree in July of 1960.  

Buster pursued his calling to ministry until 1963 when he enrolled at LSU in Baton Rouge to attend graduate school.  While at LSU, Buster found his first love of LSU athletics and often talked about how he helped run the athletic dorm as a graduate student before graduating in 1965 with a Master of Arts degree in history. 

In 1971, Buster met the love of his life, Charlotte Sumlin. The two were married and made their home in Baton Rouge. The couple became active in Louisiana politics and in many areas of ministry at University Baptist Church in Baton Rouge where Buster taught Sunday School and served as a Deacon.  Buster’s love of education helped him find his career at the Louisiana Department of Education in 1975 and worked as a program administrator until his retirement in 2000.  

In 2013, Buster and Charlotte moved to Shreveport to be closer to family.   They took up residence at The Oaks of Louisiana.  Buster remained at The Oaks after Charlotte’s death in 2015 becoming very active in his community.  Buster’s love of resident life at The Oaks was known by all who knew him and will be missed by his many friends at The Oaks.  Buster was an active member of Grace Community United Methodist Church where he was actively involved in his Full of Grace small group.  

Buster is preceded in death by his parents, Erastus Howell and Lexie Lewis Cantwell of Shreveport, and his wife of 43 years, Charlotte Sumlin Cantwell.  He is survived by his brother-in-law, William Sumlin Jr., of Simsboro, Louisiana; his nephew, W. Shane Sumlin and wife, Kristy of Shreveport; his nephew, Richard Kasch Sumlin and wife, Nicki of Dallas, Texas as well as four great-nieces and nephews, Maggie and Kasch Sumlin of Shreveport and Sydney and Gibson Sumlin of Dallas, Texas. 

Buster was a devoted uncle, loving great uncle, loyal friend to many, and avid LSU athletic fan. He was a good and faithful servant who loved the Lord.  To those who knew him, Buster was the epitome of kindness, grace, and intellect. 

A private interment was held at Simsboro Cemetery.   A visitation for Buster will be at The Oaks of Louisiana Towers Ballroom, 200 Majestic Oaks Drive, Shreveport, LA on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a “Celebration of Life Service” at 10:00 a.m.  Memorial donations may be made to Grace Community United Methodist Church.