Celebration of Life events announced for New Orleans civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The family of Tessie Prevost-Williams will host a series of ceremonies and events to celebrate the life of the civil rights pioneer.
At the age of 6, Prevost-Williams walked alongside Gail Etienne and Leona Tate as they were “America’s Little Soldier Girls” who integrated New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward school, McDonough 19 on Nov. 14, 1960.
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That same day, Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School.
Years later, purchased by the Leona Tate Foundation and Alembic Community Development purchased the closed-down school to turn it into the TEP Center in honor of their contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.
Tessie Prevost, Leona Tate, Gail Ettiene (WGNO) (Courtesy/ The New Orleans Agenda)
On July 6, it was reported that Prevost-Williams died from a series of medical complications at the age of 69.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tessie Prevost, a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights. Ms. Prevost was among the first African American students to integrate McDonogh 19 Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960.
Facing intense hostility and unimaginable challenges, her courage paved the way for greater educational equality throughout the United States. Her passing is a profound loss, but her contributions will continue to resonate for generations to come. May she rest in God’s perfect peace.”
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Friend and civil rights partner, Etienne remembered life with Prevost-Williams as a youth.
“It’s an experience that I had with her that I will never ever forget. I’m truly going to miss her.
When we would all get together and just talk about the things that happened, those were the good times even though we would talk about things that weren’t good, but just the fact that we were together.”
Gail Etienne
Other Louisiana officials expressed their condolences
“She’ll be sorely missed, but the fight that she took on and the fight that she continued to take on until her death is one of equality, fairness, and justice,” Carter said. Carter says it is a reminder to never take for granted our freedoms.
The freedoms we enjoy are not free. they require our involvement, our civic duty they require us to vote and to hold people accountable.
Congressman Troy Carter
“On behalf of NOLA Public Schools and the Orleans Parish School Board, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Tessie Prevost’s family, friends, and all who were touched by her remarkable life. May her legacy of courage and commitment to justice forever inspire us to uphold the values of equality and inclusivity in education and beyond.”
NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams
The series of events commemorating the life and legacy of Prevost-Williams will happen on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. The family provided a schedule of the events.
A Ceremony to Honor One of America’s Little Soldier Girls
The procession in front of Gallier Hall will begin at 11 a.m. The flag-draped casket of civil rights pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams will be carried by a joint services New Orleans Police Department honor guard, U.S. Federal Marshals and National Park Service Rangers to lie in state at Gallier Hall on July 26 in New Orleans.
Prevost will lie in State for public viewing from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
3 p.m. — Her flag-draped casket will be carried out of Gallier Hall by joint services NOPD honor guard, U.S. Federal Marshals and National Park Service Rangers to be placed in the Charbonnet Labat Hearse.
Funeral services for Tessie Prevost-Williams
Saturday, July 27 – Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, LA
Branch Bell Baptist Church, 1231 St. Maurice St.
Viewing: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Service: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Final Salute at the Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center, 5909 St. Claude Ave.
Ceremonial laying of wreath and New Orleans Jazz Funeral March
Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center
Procession & Ceremony 1 p.m.
Black Men of Labor will lead the brass band for a special New Orleans Jazz Funeral March. They will be followed by the joint services NOPD honor guard, U.S. Federal Marshals and National Park Service Rangers who will march in front of the Hearse carrying the remains of civil rights pioneer Prevost-Williams.
The slow-dirge funeral procession will start behind the school building on Marais Street, turn onto Gordon Street and turn onto St. Claude Avenue, where the public is invited to join them.
Mrs. Dorothy Prevost (mother of Tessie Prevost-Williams) will be joined by civil rights pioneers Etienne and Tate in laying a wreath in memory of Prevost-Williams in front of the Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center.
Second Line and Final Farewell
Celebration March 1:30 p.m.
Immediately following, the Black Men of Labor and Grand Marshal will lead a special second line down St. Claude Avenue from Alabo Street to St. Claude Avenue and Reynes Street.
The second line will disburse and the hearse followed by the vehicles carrying the family will cross St. Claude Avenue Bridge
Interment
Rising Star Pilgrims Rest Cemetery 1103 Cardinal in LaPlace, LA.
Repast
TEP Center 5909 St. Claude Ave.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The family has invited the public to join them in the celebration of her life and bidding their final farewell to the civil rights pioneer in front of the TEP Center.
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