Doris Burt

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 26, 2008

NATCHEZ — Services for Doris Batson Burt, of Natchez, who died Friday, May 23, 2008, in Natchez, will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Laird Funeral Home Union Street Chapel with the Rev. Zabron A. Davis III officiating.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until services begin on Tuesday at Laird Funeral Home.

Burial will begin at 4 p.m., at Odd Fellow Cemetery, in Grenada, under the direction of Garner & Harper Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jack Smith officiating.

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Mrs. Burt was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. She was past president and organizer of the Musical Arts League. She was a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, the William Dunbar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Federation of Music Clubs, the First Family of Mississippi, The Natchez Art Association and several other organizations.

Mrs. Burt was honored by the Natchez Opera Association in 1994. She was also honored by the City of Natchez and given the “Key to the City.”

She attended The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City where she majored in piano, choral music and stage direction.

During World War II, Mrs. Burt served her country as a special services hostess at Camp McCain, and Maxwell Field, Ala.

A longtime teacher of music, she served as Public School Music Director for the Lepanto, Ark., public schools from 1941 until the beginning of World War II, then from 1944 until 1951. She served in the same position in the Grenada public schools for several years.

Mrs. Burt resided into Wichita Falls, TX., from 1955 until 1964 where she was president of the symphony and served on the Dallas Opera Board of Directors.

She and Mr. Burt moved to Natchez in 1964 where she has resided ever since.

Mrs. Burt was born in Wiggins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton Batson and Glennie Clark Batson; and two brothers, Juel and Max Batson.

Survivors include one son, Andy Pressgrove and wife, Carmen; brother, M.M. Batson and wife, Ann; devouted daughter-in-law, Cissy Pressgrove; eight grandchildren, Cap and Bill Pressgrove, Tip Fore, Ginger Cavin, Dawn and Gus Perry, and Missy and R.T. Forman; several nieces and nephews and several great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Cap Pressgrove, Bill Pressgrove, Tip Fore, Gus Perry, R.T. Forman, Payden Pressgrove, Dylan Pressgrove, Walter Garner and Trey Batson.