NATCHEZ — Natchez police will close a section of downtown Natchez streets Friday in anticipation of a large number of mourners attending the funeral of former Louisiana Secretary of State Al Ater.

Natchez Police Lt. Tom McGehee said officers would close Jefferson Street to non-funeral traffic, beginning at Martin Luther King Jr. Street and continuing to Commerce Street beginning at 8:30 a.m. Police anticipate opening the street at approximately noon.

Visitation for Ater will begin at 9 a.m. at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. also at the church. Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery.

McGehee said motorists who are coming to the funeral are asked to enter the area at the intersection of Jefferson and MLK and will be directed to parking areas along Jefferson Street, as available.

In addition, cross streets in the area will be blocked as well including North Rankin at High Street and Union at Franklin Street.