Irby Leon BURT

     
     Irby Leon BURT was born on 22 May 1892 in Bibb County, Alabama, son of Eustace Pierre BURT and Martha Jane YEAGER.
     Irby Leon BURT appeared on a census, enumerated 11 June 1900, in the household of Eustace Pierre BURT in Precinct 2, Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama.¹
     Irby married Birdie Clyde WATTS, daughter of George Weaver WATTS and Adelia Reed, on 25 December 1912 in the home of George Watts, Scottsville, Alabama. Justice of Peace W. T. Wood officiated the wedding service.^2,3
     The Burts owned and operated a very large farm and a lumber business in the Scottsville community until 1938 when the family moved to a new location in West Blocton.
     Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1920 in Scottsville, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Irby Leon Burt, age 27; his wife Birdie, age 25; daughters, French Inez, age 6; Ferry, age 5; Ruth A., age 3 1/2; and son Irby Leon, Jr., age 3 months. All were born in Alabama. Living with them were servants Doc and Viola Ray.⁴
     Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Beat 2, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Irby L. Burt, age 37 and a farmer. He owned his home, could read and write, and owned a radio. He first married at age 20. He and his parents were born in Alabama. His wife, Birdie C. Burt, was 35 years old. and had first married when she was 18. She could also read and write. Both she and her parents were born in Alabama. Their children were French I., age 16; Ferry E., age 12; Ruth A., age 12; Mallory M., age 9; George E., age 6; Vincent A., age 3 1/12; and Varner L., age 1 4/12. Living next door was Irby's father, Eustace.⁵
     Irby moved from Cedar Grove to West Blocton, Alabama 1938. There he built I. L. Burt and Sons sawmill in the lot adjoining his home. The mill made shingles and milled lumber for the mines.
     Irby Leon BURT and Birdie Clyde WATTS were members of the West Blocton Methodist Church until 1965 when they moved their membership to the newly organized Southern Methodist Church in Centreville as charter members. They continued to attend and support the church until their deaths.
     Irby Leon BURT witnessed the obituary of George Edsel BURT on 12 April 1945 in the "Centreville Press". The article read: "Pfc. GEORGE BURT KILLED IN ACTION: Pfc. George E. Burt, son of Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burt, of West Blocton, was killed in action in the service of his country, crossing the Rhine March 4th [sic], 1945. He was a graduate of West Blocton High School and entered the service in 1943. He was serving as a paratrooper and flew from England on January 1st, with the 17th Airborne Division. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. L. Burt, of West Blocton, four sisters, Mrs. John K. Brown, Oxnard, Calif., Mrs. Kenneth Dale, Praco, Ala., Mrs. Earl J. Kilby, Woodville, Va., and Wynelle Burt, West Blocton, Alabama; and four brothers, Mallory M. Burt, Great Lakes, Illinois; Vincent, Vernon [sic] and Billy Burt, of West Blocton.⁶
     For a few months between 1950 and 1951 Irby moved with his family to Mississippi to cut a tract of wood. The investment did not pan out and he lost a great deal of money. The family returned to Bibb County and hard times for a few years. The family survived these difficult times and prospered.
     Irby Leon BURT died on 15 March 1990 in West Blocton, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 97. He was buried in Scottsville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.