Natchez State Park named for former state Sen. Bob Dearing April 6, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's Natchez State Park has a new name. Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill renaming the park in recognition of former state Sen. Robert Dearing of Natchez, who died July 30 at the age of 85. The park is now the Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park. Dearing’s daughter, Daye Dearing, said she and her family were both surprised and humbled when they heard the park would be renamed for her father, The Natchez Democrat reported. She said her father served on the State Park Committee and was instrumental in establishing Natchez State Park, thinking it would be a great addition to the area.