New Orleans, LA – Tessie Nelda Prevost Williams, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, passed away on July 6, 2024, at the age of 69. Tessie was born on September 26, 1954, at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Dorothy Mackey Prevost and the late Charles Henry Prevost, Jr. Her early life was marked by her unwavering faith, which she embraced at a young age through her christening and baptism at Branch Bell Baptist Church, where she was later married to the late Dwight Williams.
Tessie’s legacy is deeply rooted in her role as one of the “New Orleans Four,” a group of African American children who, on November 14, 1960, courageously desegregated public elementary schools in New Orleans. Alongside Ruby Bridges, Gail Etienne, and Leona Tate, Tessie’s historic walk into an all-white school, under the protection of U.S. Federal Marshals, marked a significant moment in the fight for racial equality in the Deep South. This act of bravery not only contributed to the Civil Rights Movement but also inspired future generations, including the Children’s Crusade of 1963.
Throughout her life, Tessie remained a dedicated community leader. In November 2023, just months before her passing, Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed November 14th as “New Orleans Four Day” to honor the contributions of Tessie and her fellow pioneers. In October 2023, Tessie became the Chief Operating Officer of New Orleans Four, LLC, a company she co-founded with Gail Etienne. The company is committed to preserving the legacy of The New Orleans Four through initiatives such as the forthcoming “New Orleans Four Legacy Collection” and the “Serving Black Girl Magic since 1960” project.
Tessie was scheduled to receive further recognition in May 2024, during the 70th Anniversary of Brown v. Board, where she, along with Gail Etienne and Leona Tate, was to be honored by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. Unfortunately, her illness prevented her from attending the event.
Tessie’s passing has been deeply felt within the community. Tessie Watts shared on Facebook, “I wasn’t born in 1954, but the name I once struggled to embrace is shared with a remarkable leader. Tessie Nelda Prevost-Williams, a heroine who played a pivotal role in school desegregation, is worthy of remembrance. Rest in love, Tessie.”
A memorial service to celebrate Tessie Prevost Williams’ life and contributions will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Branch Bell Baptist Church in New Orleans. The service will be followed by interment at Rising Star Baptist Church Cemetery in LaPlace, LA. Tessie is survived by her mother, Dorothy Mackey Prevost, among other family members and lifelong friends, including fellow civil rights pioneers Gail Etienne and Leona Tate.
Tessie Nelda Prevost Williams’ life and legacy remain a testament to the power of courage, resilience, and the enduring fight for justice and equality.