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Tessie Prevost-Williams

Ceremonies & Funeral Service

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Diedra Meredith | info@NewOrleansFourLegacy.com

Phone: 646.436.7928

Tessie Prevost-Williams, member of the New Orleans Four,

to Lay in State at Gallier Hall

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (July 18, 2024) – One of America’s Little Soldier Girls, Tessie Prevost-Williams, a member of the New Orleans Four will Lay in State at Gallier Hall. Prevost-Williams died July 6th following a series of medical complications.

The Prevost family has arranged a host of events and ceremonies to honor the Civil Rights Icon. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Tessie Prevost-Williams at Gallier Hall following a ceremonial procession in her honor, as well as her funeral services and participate in a special New Orleans Jazz Funeral March and Second Line on St. Claude Ave starting at the TEP Center.  

Funeral arrangements provided by Charbonnet Labat Funeral Home. The Prevost family invites the public, family and friends to send sympathy and funeral flowers to Branch Bell Baptist Church 1231 St. Maurice St. New Orleans, LA 70117.

Tessie Prevost along with Gail Etienne, Leona Tate, and Ruby Bridges made history desegregating schools in New Orleans and the Deep South on November 14, 1960.

Etienne remembers what it was like being with a young Tessie Prevost on the day they integrated McDonagh 19 elementary school. “It’s an experience that I had with her that I will never ever forget. I’m truly going to miss her,” Etienne said. In recent years, Prevost and Etienne launched the New Orleans Four Legacy Collection as a way to ensure that their namesake and history as The New Orleans Four will never be forgotten again.

“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,” Etienne said.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued a statement following Prevost's passing.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tessie Prevost, a trailblazer in the fight for civil rights,” said Mayor Cantrell.

"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,” said Mayor Cantrell

Congressman Troy Carter also honored Prevost’s legacy.

“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,” Carter said.

United States Assistant Attorney General Kristin Clarke gave a statement on behalf of the Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice. “She reminded us of the work we have done and the work we have yet to do on the journey toward full racial equity and equality,” said Clarke.

“In the face of hatred and bigotry, Ms. Prevost, along with Gail Etienne and Leona Tate at McDonogh 19, exemplified the forbearance this country has asked of Black and Brown children. Brown v. Board established the constitutionality of equal educational opportunities. But it was Tessie and her schoolmates who gave Brown meaning by claiming its promise.” Clarke said.

NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams also shared her condolences in a statement.

“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,” said Dr. Avis William. “May her legacy of courage and commitment to justice forever inspire us to uphold the values of equality and inclusivity in education and beyond.”

Here’s a rundown of the ceremonies and celebrations to honor Tessie Prevost-Williams:

WDSU will stream portions of the ceremony and services on WDSU.com and their social media platforms.

Friday, July 26 – New Orleans, LA

A Ceremony to Honor One of America’s Little Soldier Girls

Gallier Hall 545 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

 

11 a.m. CT 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 NOPD honor guard, US 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. – 3 p.m.

 

3 p.m.  CT

Her flag draped casket will be carried out of Gallier Hall by joint services NOPD honor guard, US Federal Marshals and National Park Service Rangers to be placed in the Charbonnet-Labat Hearse.

Saturday, July 27 – Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans, LA

Funeral Services for Tessie Prevost-Williams

Branch Bell Baptist Church, 1231 St. Maurice St. New Orleans, LA 70117

 

Viewing: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT

Service: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

Final Salute at the Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center

TEP Center, 5909 St. Claude Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117

 

The Prevost family invites the public, family and friends to celebrate Civil Rights Pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams and bid their final farewell in front the building formerly known as McDonogh 19 elementary school that she desegregated alongside her classmates Gail Etienne and Leona Tate on November 14, 1960.

 

New Orleans Jazz Funeral March

Procession & Ceremony 1 p.m. CT

 

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, US Federal Marshals and National Park Service Rangers who will march in front of the Hearse carrying the remains of Civil Rights Pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams.

The slow dirge funeral procession will start behind the school building on Marais St. and will turn onto Gordon St and then turn onto St. Claude Ave. The public is invited to view the processional on St. Claude Ave.

 

Ceremonial Laying of the Commemorative Wreath

Mrs. Dorothy Prevost (mother of Tessie Prevost-Williams) will be joined by Civil Rights Pioneers Gail Etienne and Leona Tate in laying a wreath in memory of Tessie in front of the Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center.

 

Second Line and Final Farewell

Celebration March 1:30 p.m. CT

 

Immediately following the laying of the commemorative wreath, the Black Men of Labor and Grand Marshal will lead a special second line down St. Claude Ave. from Alabo St. to St. Claude Ave. and Reynes St.

 

The second line will disburse and the Hearse carrying the remains of Civil Rights Pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams, followed by the vehicles carrying the family will cross the St. Claude Ave. Bridge

 

Interment

Rising Star Pilgrims Rest Cemetery 1103 Cardinal LaPlace, LA. 70068

 

Repast

TEP Center 5909 St. Claude Ave. New Orleans, LA. 70117

 

Brief History: On November 14, 1960, with worldwide attention set on the city of New Orleans, four 6-year-old girls (Tessie Prevost, Ruby Bridges, Leona Tate and Gail Etienne) escorted by US Marshals, became the first African Americans to desegregate formerly white-only public elementary schools in New Orleans and the Deep South. On that faithful morning, three of the girls (Tessie Prevost, Gail Etienne and Leona Tate) enrolled at McDonogh 19 elementary school located at 5909 St. Claude Ave. and a fourth girl (Ruby Bridges) enrolled at William Frantz elementary school located at 3811 N. Galvez St. Together, the girls became known as The New Orleans Four synonymous to The Little Rock Nine.

 

People can post video, photos, songs, or any kind of virtual tribute to Civil Rights Pioneer Tessie Prevost-Williams using the hashtag #NewOrleansFour #AmericasLittleSoldierGirls #AlwaysVote or leave a written tribute below.

www.NewOrleansFourLegacy.com 

 

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