NATCHEZ — Services for David Payton Pruett, 88, of Natchez, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. John Larson officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday in Stratton Chapel at the church.

Mr. Pruett was born Oct. 6, 1919, in Natchitoches, La., the son of Nora Brister and John Pruett. He attended Louisiana State University on a music scholarship. He was an Army veteran who served in World War II and saw two tours in the South Pacific. Mr. Pruett was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church for 45 years. He served several terms as deacon and elder, sang in the choir and was a regular member of the men’s prayer breakfast.

Mr. Pruett was an artist, craftsman and historian, reproducing 18th century antiques by hand. He traveled extensively to study museum antique collections to understand the materials and techniques used to create the originals he reproduced. Mr. Pruett’s artistry and craftsmanship were known and respected throughout the United States. Many Natchez families are as proud of their Pruett reproductions as they are of their original antiques because of the integrity of the artist and their love and respect for the man.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jeanette B. Pruett; daughter, Peggy O’Neill Pruett; and brothers, Roy Pruett and John Pruett.

Survivors include a sister, Ruth Nahabedian; a brother, Paul Pruett and wife, Tori, all of California; sister-in-law, Wessye B. Heard of Natchez; nephew, Sam P. Gore III and wife, Carla, both of Livingston, Texas; sister-in-law, Peggy B. Crawford of Oregon; brothers-in-law, Jerry L. Byrd of California and Edward Byrd of Natchez; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Bazile Lanneau Jr., Page Ogden, Everette Ratcliffe, Jack Stephens, Bobby Meason and Fred Parker.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First Presbyterian Church or a charity of choice.