My father was not a talker. He was a man who worked two jobs so that none of us would ever go without. I am Betty Butler, and Lemar Robertson — Uncle Man, to everyone outside our house — loved this family with his hands long before he ever put it into words.

Born in the quiet country town of Rosedale, Louisiana, my father’s journey began with the deep, grounding roots of our family. He later moved to Pine Grove, Louisiana, with his mother. It was there, amidst the peaceful beauty of Pine Grove, that his life would change forever when he met my mother, Cora. The two fell deeply in love, married, and eventually journeyed together to New Orleans, Louisiana, where they set out to build a beautiful family and a life of their own.

My parents, Lemar and Cora, were profoundly blessed to build a wonderful family together. To their beautiful union, five children were born, and we were the reason he did all of it.

My father was a quiet, strong, and incredibly hardworking man who firmly believed in taking care of his family. For most of his life, he worked two jobs, sacrificing his own rest to make absolutely certain that our family was always provided for and well cared for. He was a devoted husband and a fiercely loving father who gave so much of himself to the people he loved.

One of the things that stood out most about my father was how deeply and beautifully he loved my mother, Cora. Growing up, I watched the way he cherished her; it was abundantly clear to everyone that he would do absolutely anything for her and for all of us. His love wasn’t always spoken in loud words; it was shown through his calloused hands, his endless sacrifices, his unwavering protection, and his complete dedication to our home. He was dependable, steady, and always willing to do whatever was necessary for his family.

The quiet strength and unwavering love my father possessed left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Today, his beautiful legacy lives on through his five children, thirteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, and all the family members who were blessed to know and love him.

But his legacy of love extended far beyond our front door — he was a deeply devoted brother who cherished his siblings. As my cousin Tyronne Jacques beautifully recalls, “One of the main memories I have of my uncle Lemar — or as we all affectionately called him, ‘Uncle Man’ — was how he always made his rounds to check on all of his sisters. Once a month, you could count on this powerful, amazing man arriving with his captivating smile. He would walk in, his voice booming with joy, calling out to my grandmother, ‘OH MARY, WHAT’S COOKING TODAY?’ He had that profoundly warm effect on our entire family, and we all cherished those special days when Uncle Man made his rounds.”

That joyous, familiar scene of a brother faithfully looking after his sisters was just another testament to the kind of man he was, and it is a memory our family holds dear.

So that was our father. A quiet man, a devoted husband, and the brother who came around once a month just to see about his sisters. Lemar Robertson: remembered for his strength, for his work, and most of all for how much of himself he gave away.