Alice Belle Zerby

Published 12:00 am Sunday, January 28, 2018

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Alice Belle Zerby, “Big Mama,” 92, of Natchez, who died peacefully in her sleep at her residence Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Routh Cemetery on Homochitto Street in Natchez with Rev. Joan Gandy officiating.

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Belle was born on March 1, 1925, in Jonesville, the daughter of Leon and Mary Dayton Kirby.

She was a graduate of Block High School and attended Louisiana Tech. She retired from the floral industry where she shared her love for flowers with so many.

She was a member of the Natchez Garden Club and the Natchez Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed talking on the telephone with friends and family, near and far, and enjoyed road trips to visit grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Belle was renowned for her vivacious personality and infectious laughter. She never left home without a hat, and in later years, a fancy walking cane. She never met a stranger, and was an unofficial ambassador of her beloved Natchez. She welcomed tourists and encouraged them to eat at local restaurants and enjoy activities that were uniquely “Natchez.” When she was younger, her granddaughters, Bethany and Drew Belle, would accompany her along downtown streets to greet-and pass out flowers to both visitors and locals.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, AI G. Zerby Jr.; and seven sisters and their spouses.

Survivors include her two sons, Blair S. Zerby and Brett D. Zerby, and their wives, Brenda and Becky; five grandchildren, Bethany Zerby, Bourne Zerby and wife, Paige, and their son, Braxton, Byron Zerby and wife, Melody, and their two children, Brees and Mace, Deighton Zerby and Drew Belle Elsey and husband, Ben; and a number of nephews and nieces and their families.