NATCHEZ — A requiem Mass for Claude “Booty” Herman Hewitt Sr., 79, of Natchez who died Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Hewitt was born June 8, 1931, in Natchez, the son of Claude E. Hewitt and Gabriella Steele Hewitt. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed.

He was a dedicated member of St. Mary Basilica who served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a 1950 graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School and also attended the University of Southern Mississippi studying business administration. He retired from International Paper Company after 43 years of employment.

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, James “Jimmy” Helton Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Quegles Couillard Hewitt; five children, Claude Hewitt and wife, Debbie T., and Katie Cothren and husband, Jim, all of Madison, Evalyn Haney and husband, Sid, of Knoxville, Tenn., Ben Hewitt and wife, Sylvia C., of Natchez, and Neen McSwain and husband, Brandon, all of Brandon; 13 grandchildren, Renee Bermond and husband, Timothy, Melissa Hewitt and Emily Ingram and husband, Blayne, all of Madison, Nicole McSwain and husband, Russ, and Benjamin Hewitt, all of Natchez, Jessica Haney, Jordan Haney and wife, Tiffany, Taylor Haney and wife, Meagan, Erin Hamilton, and Laura Anne Haney, all of Knoxville, Collin Haney of Jackson, Tenn., Beth Hamilton of Brandon and Katie Hewitt of Hattiesburg; seven great-grandchildren, Bailey, Mikayla, Emma, Ethan, Sydney, Noah and Jackson; one sister-in-law, Kathleen Couillard Helton of Sulphur, La.,; and three nephews, Chip Helton, Jeff Helton and Keith Helton.

Pallbearers will be Henry LeBlanc, Stan Haydel, Charles Fatherree, Jeff Helton, Brandon McSwain, Sid Haney, Jim Cothren, Jordan Haney, Taylor Haney, Collin Haney and Benjamin Hewitt Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Timothy Bermond, Russ McSwain and Blayne Ingram.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.