Joseph Low Durst passed away peacefully at his home Friday, Dec. 6,  at the age of 88.

Mr. Durst was born on a snowy day in Rolling Fork, Mississippi Dec. 29, 1935. At a young age he moved to Vicksburg, where he attended St. Aloysius. During his senior year in 1954, he received the Virgadamo Award. He attended Hinds Junior College and The University of Mississippi, where he received his pharmacy degree in 1958. He then proudly served the Vicksburg community as a pharmacist until his retirement in 2020, which also marked 50 years as owner of Durst Pharmacy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Emmet Durst and Harriet Low Durst, and his brothers, Dr. John H. Durst and Robert E. Durst Jr.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Eleanor; his son, David Durst (Allison); his two daughters, Dana Pittman and Delia Simpson (Sherman); his grandchildren, Lee Simpson (Anna Carol), Hailey Pittman Sandavol (John), Sean Simpson, and Emily Claire Pittman; his sister, Delia Durst Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. until the start of the service at noon at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home at 5000 Indiana Avenue in Vicksburg. A graveside service followed at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Raymond Abraham, John Bullard, Lewis Hunt, Sherman Simpson, Lee Simpson and Sean Simpson.

Honorary Pallbearers were Robert Abraham, Tommy Lee, Scott Middleton, David Leese, Darrell Anderson, Steve Mabry and David MacIntosh.

The family would like to thank Christie Morgan of St. Joseph Hospice, Mary O’Neal, Rena Washington, The Homebound Ministry of St. Michael Catholic Church, Fr. Robert Dore, and Fr. P.J. Curley.

Memorials can be made to Vicksburg Catholic School, 1900 Grove St., Vicksburg, MS 39183 or St. Michael Catholic Church, 100 St. Michael Pl., Vicksburg, MS 39180.