Robert Everett Canon

Feb. 2, 1934 – Aug. 21, 2015

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Mr. Robert Everett Canon, 81, who died peacefully Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at his residence in Natchez surrounded by family and friends, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Walton Jones and the Rev. Burl Salmon officiating.

Visitation and celebration of his life will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, at his former home, The Briars. Per his request, Mr. Canon asked that any celebration in his memory be full of clothes in bright colors and seersuckers as his own personal fashion sense dictated.

Mr. Canon was born on Feb. 2, 1934 in Houston, Texas, to Mr. And Mrs. Robert Otis Canon.

He was raised in Odessa, Texas, and received his bachelor’s degree in fine arts and interior design from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. While in college, he founded and was charter member of the TCU chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity. After college, Bob, as he was known to family and friends, began his design career, ultimately establishing the Houston design firm of Wilds and Canon with his late partner, Mr. Newton Wilds. Together Mr. Canon and Mr. Wilds would design interiors across the country and continents around the world. Notable local projects along with The Briars include design work and decor projects for Dunleith, Stanton Hall, Edgewood, Lansdowne, Green Leaves, Magnolia Vale and numerous other Natchez homes and buildings.

While maintaining his business in Houston, Bob and Newt purchased The Briars in Natchez as a vacation home in 1975. Under their stewardship, The Briars was restored and preserved to become one of Natchez’s first bed-and-breakfast hotel inns. Over 30 years of devotion to The Briars culminated in the construction of his finest design project, Briarvue, his cliffside home at the highest point on the Mississippi River.

Mr. Canon became involved socially and civically during his life in Natchez. His memberships included the board of directors, Pilgrimage Garden Club, the Natchez Preservation Commission, as Chairman, the Pilgrimage Homeowners Association and the Board of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours. Bob had a love of animals and supported the Natchez Humane Society. As a supporter of the City Cemetery, many trees and shrubs were added by his efforts.

Mr. Canon was baptized and raised in the Episcopal Church, though later in life he became an active member of the Catholic Church. Even later still, he returned back to the Episcopal Church.

Mr. Canon was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy; and his former partner, Mr. Oliver Newton Wilds Jr.

Mr. Canon is survived by his husband, Mr. Ronald Wayne Bryant Jr., to whom he was married at Saint Saviours Episcopal Church in Bar Harbor, Maine on Oct. 5, 2013; three children, sons Robert Otis Canon II of Austin, Texas; and Russell Fuller Canon of Dallas; and daughter Sallie Claire Canon of Mobile, Ala.; and by his former wife, Margorie Canon of Dallas; his brother Craig Otis Canon and wife, Judy, of Dallas; grandchildren William, Canon, Maddie, Katy, Robbie and Max.

Pallbearers will be Courtney Aldridge, John Burns, Jack Byrne, Jack Evans, Jason Dauphin, Dale Mott, Kem Moullard and Anthony Murray.

Honorary pallbearers are Lee Jones, Larry Holder, Charlie Vess, Bill McGehee, Kent Hudson, Everett Ratcliffe, Robin Punches, Ricky Edgin and Lee Martin.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff of Hospice Compassus, Dr. Jeffrey Anderson and sitters Hazel Banks, Addie Bass, Rita O’Neal and Breouna Smoot. Also, the family expresses their deepest gratitude to Mrs. Inez Woodfork, devoted housekeeper, confidante and friend.

Memorials may be made to the Trinity School Mac Bryant Scholarship Fund, the Natchez Humane Society or to the charity or organization of one’s choosing.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.