Former Natchez mayor and Mississippi Department of Transportation executive director Butch Brown has passed away at the age of 79.
Natchez mayor Dan Gibson made the announcement during Tuesday’s board of aldermen meeting.
Brown served three terms as the city’s mayor — two in the 1990s and one from 2012 to 2016. He was appointed to hold the transportation department’s highest position in 2002 before retiring in 2011.
“I’m sorry to learn of Butch Brown’s passing. While serving as MDOT executive director, Butch left his mark on Mississippi’s transportation system that will be felt for years to come,” current MDOT executive director Brad White said. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Visitation will be held for Brown from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Thursday at First Presbyterian Church of Natchez. The funeral service will follow immediately after.
Mayor Gibson has ordered flags in the city to be flown at half-staff in honor of the former mayor, whom he considered to be a friend and mentor of his.
“He left a mark on our city on our city and on our state that will never be forgotten,” Gibson said. “His work as mayor of Natchez is paying dividends now and will continue to do so for decades to come.”
Gibson credited the former mayor for the state of Natchez’ convention center, city council chamber building, bluff stabilization project, and the city’s transit system.
