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NATCHEZ — Natchez Attorney Bryan Callaway has died at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson following an illness.

Callaway, a Natchez native, served as City Attorney during Mayor Dan Gibson’s first term in office. In January 2024, he began work as staff attorney for Sixth District Circuit Judge Debra Blackwell. Through the years, Callaway has had a thriving law practice in Natchez.

In recent years, Callaway had been awaiting a kidney transplant.

“Bryan Callaway was one of the smartest, strongest and yet most gentle people I have ever known,” Gibson said. “He and I were friends at Mississippi State when in college and served in student government together. We went many years without seeing each other only to be reunited when I moved to Natchez.”

Callaway earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University and his law degree from the University of Mississippi Law School.

He graduated from South Natchez-Adams High School in 1983, where he was a key player on the school’s championship football teams, including the 1981 undefeated state championship team coached by the late Ed Reed.

“In our first term, Bryan was invaluable as our city attorney, helping us with more important matters than I can even count, including helping formulate bond strategies to renovate all of our public buildings and city parks and pave more than 50 city streets, all without raising taxes,” Gibson said.

Gibson said Callaway had worked tirelessly for the City of Natchez and, for the past year, for the citizens of the Sixth Circuit District and Judge Debra Blackwell.

“I honestly cannot remember a time when Bryan was not smiling and happy, even in the face of his own health challenges and even when his mother unexpectedly passed away just a couple of years ago,” Gibson said. “Bryan is truly someone we will forever miss and a friend I will always be grateful to have had. My and Marla’s prayers are with Donna and their family.”

“I was blessed beyond measure to have Bryan as my staff attorney these past fourteen months,” said Sixth District Circuit Judge Debra Blackwell. “He had a brilliant legal mind, and I’ll forever be grateful not only for his legal expertise but also for his calm presence and demeanor. He was an exceptional man, and he will be greatly missed in our community.”

Funeral arrangements are incomplete. More information will be made available when finalized.