David W. West

David W. West

Purvis, MS

Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday at Purvis United Methodist Church for Mr. David W. West, 81, of Purvis, MS, formerly of Hattiesburg, MS.

He died Monday, March 7, 2016 at his residence.

Interment will be Biloxi National Cemetery at 10:00 AM Friday with military rites performed by the VFW Post 3036.

Dave was born and reared in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was an accountant by occupation and a renowned classically trained pianist by heart. Dave's love and talent for jazz music led him to form the first integrated jazz band trio, The Dave West Trio, in the city of New Orleans in the early 60's. He played many years with Pete Fountain and other renowned artist throughout his career. He later followed his little brother, Chris West to the Hattiesburg area to raise his family. Dave fell in love, as his brother, with the people of Hattiesburg and had many friends and family that loved him through his service as a Trust Officer with the Southern National Bank, as owner of West Public Accounting and through his many musical performances. His hobbies included being a regular at the local Coney Island Cafe, playing piano for the Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera, and studying the Bible. He was past President and honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow with the Hattiesburg Lions Club. Dave was honored as the guest artist at the USM Annual Jazz Concert.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine West and grandmother, Victoria Gross.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Hirsch West of Purvis; two sons, David Scott West (Maggie) of Purvis and Daryl Lee West (Hazel) of Pell City, AL; one daughter, Victoria "Tori" Hensley (Bruce) of Boca Raton, FL; one sister, Jessie W. Daniel of Okeechobee, FL; one brother, Chris West of Hattiesburg and seven grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to MDA of Southeast Louisiana, 2800 Veterans Blvd. #329, Metairie, LA 70002.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM at Purvis United Methodist Church.