Al E. Burt

In the winter of the year 1935, amid the evergreen pines and soft rolling hills of Meridian, Mississippi, Alphus Elijah Burt was welcomed into this world, the youngest child of Alphus Elijah Burt, Sr. and Myrtle Lewis Burt. An outgoing, sociable, and active young boy, Al (or “Son”, as he was affectionately known) moved with his family in the mid-1940’s to the restful little town of Fayette, Mississippi, where soon he met his wife-to-be, Helen Catherine Gillis (or “Sister”, as she too was lovingly known). He was graduated from Fayette High School in 1953, after lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. He received a full scholarship to play baseball and football at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, then served in the U.S. Army, from which he was honorably discharged.

Al was graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. An earnest and lifelong supporter of his alma mater, he once enrolled the entire family in the Big Gold Club - including the beloved family dog, Sallie Belle - a story that attracted the interest of the local Hattiesburg press.

Son and Sister were married in Fayette in an elegant ceremony in 1959, and the young couple soon settled in Houston, Texas. The next several years were industrious, and proved full and fruitful. A son was born, and a daughter soon followed. Al worked full-time while studying law at South Texas College of Law, and was graduated in 1969. After passing the bar exam, he maintained a bustling law practice in Houston for more than thirty years, and, even though he lived in a big city, Al never forgot his humble, small-town beginnings, sometimes generously representing clients in exchange for whatever goods or services they could provide (and even, at times, pro-bono).

Al’s passions included listening to jazz music (and collecting an expansive vinyl and cd library), rescuing homeless dogs and cats, and watching Southern Miss football and baseball games.

One month shy of eighty-nine long and rewarding years, Son Burt left us quietly in his sleep in the calm stillness of eventide on December 30, 2023, at home with his son and daughter-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen Catherine Gillis Burt; his sisters Inez Gibson, Lois Moore, and Lottie Mae Burt; brother-in-law, O. Sterling Gillis, III; and friend Hattie Mae Martin, who helped him care for his son and daughter after Helen passed prematurely in 1976. He is survived by his son, Richard, and daughter-in-law, Myra; daughter, Allyson, and son-in-law, Tavner Caruso; and a granddaughter, Shelby Catherine Bohannan.

In lieu of flowers, Richard and Allyson kindly request that you donate in Al’s name to an animal rescue organization – one of his favorite things.