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One person in particular took to social media and shared a heartfelt memorial in the form of a poem.

“We were stepbrothers,� said Macon County resident and historian, Randy East. “My mother married his father. He was the son of Bill Black Sr. and Elizabeth (Hill). His mathematical skills were phenomenal. He would recognize a woman and greet her by her first and maiden name. Always, he would offer the phone number and year of graduation to most people he had met. He was an avid fan of collecting yearbooks from area schools. He would be given a gift of the current year by many local schools each year.

“Does that surprise you? Just a whittle,� East recalled Buzz saying. “He would always say that asking to judge if you were amazed at his skills. Yes! All were shocked by his abilities. I believe that I am correct that Buzz had a severe fever when he was around the age of five that left him altered, as to what others were. His childlike and innocent ways only endeared him to all. He had a hearty belly roll laugh, signifying that he enjoyed being around and talking with you. There wasn’t a mean or violent bone in his body. I never saw him upset or angry with anyone.

“Everyone accepted him for who and what he was,� said East. “All marveled at his feats to entertain with his wit and singing. I can still hear that sweet voice in my memory, singing verse and chorus with a big laugh when he finished. Elvis could not have done better. He loved campaigning for his favorite candidates, and carried large election signs as he hitchhiked from his home at Stinking Creek near Westmoreland, Tennessee. To nearby cities of Gallatin or Lafayette, and beyond. You would often see him wearing his big sombrero in an attempt to protect himself from the harsh sun’s rays. Hitchhiking was his preferred method of travel. He knew that he would indeed receive a ride from one of the thousands who were blessed to have given him a ride in his lifetime. If he felt threatened, he would not accept a ride offer. It was guaranteed that he wouldn’t have to wait very long before a suitable ride came along.

“I have given Buzz many rides over the past 50 years,� said East. “Most of the time it was just carrying him to the top of Westmoreland hill or to his home. I never knew that he and I would become half-brothers when his father, Bill L. Black, married my mother, Mary Steen East. Buzz would come to family functions, for he truly was family, and we respected him as such. He loved to eat, but only one item at a time. He was indeed a very colorful character of notice and adoration. After meeting him I can factually say that all were befriended by him. There will never be another quite like Buzz Black.�