Henry Houze, Jr.

Published 12:29 pm Monday, December 30, 2024

April 28, 1943 – Dec. 24, 2024

NATCHEZ – Funeral services for Henry Houze, Jr., 81, of Natchez, who departed this earthly life on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, in Natchez, will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Melvin White officiating.

Burial will follow at Sunset View Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of West Gate Funeral Home.

The Kappa Ceremony will be held on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. followed by visitation from 6 until 7 p.m. with a “Celebration of Life” at 6:30 p.m. All events will be at the funeral home. Public viewing will continue on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Henry was born on April 28. 1943, in Laurel, MS, the son of Earlene Little and Henry Houze, Sr. After graduating from Oak Park High School in Laurel, MS, he received his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees from Alcorn State University. Henry later attended Indiana University. While employed at Alcorn, he held many positions. The most notable was his tenure as Director of Alumni Affairs from 1974-1993. Toward the end of his career, Henry served as Associate Director of Admissions. Mr. Houze was a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and also held memberships with the ASU Alumni Association and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for over 50 years. His hobbies/interests included a love for jazz, sports, DIY, and the HGTV Channel. Spending time with his grandchildren was his greatest joy.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carolyn Houze Jones; sister-in-law, Natalie Bingham; father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Olean Bingham, and brother-in-law, Max Bingham, Sr.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of: his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Houze; daughters, Magella Knight (Kelvin) and Tiffany Houze-Whirl (Cortez); brother, Stanley Prieston (Artherine); sisters-in-law, MarDeen Boykin (Dr. Carl H.) and Lorraine Bingham; brother-in-law, Arthur Ephrain, Jr. (Etta); five grandchildren, Madison Knight, Kelsey Knight, Mia Knight, Brentzen Lewis and Caden Whirl, other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.westgatefh.com.