The last living parent of one of the four girls who desegregated New Orleans public schools has died.
Dorothy Prevost was the mother of the late Tessie Prevost, one of the New Orleans Four, the brave 6-year-old girls who desegregated New Orleans schools in 1960.
Prevost made the courageous decision to send her daughter into a hostile environment, confronting segregation head-on and changing the lives of future generations.
Tessie died two years ago.
Prevost died at the age of 94.
WDSU Anchor Aubry Killion spoke with the family and friends. Click the video above for the powerful interview.
Official ceremonial observances
Friday, March 13
Gallier Hall – 545 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans
11 a.m. CT – Police-escorted motorcade arrival
Mrs. Prevost’s flag-draped casket will be carried by honorable pallbearers and accompanied by a joint ceremonial presence of U.S. federal marshals, National Park Service rangers and Prince Hall Freemasons, a powerful echo of the protection that once safeguarded the New Orleans Four in 1960.
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. CT – Public viewing as Mrs. Prevost lies in state
3 p.m. CT – Ceremonial departure from Gallier Hall
Saturday, March 14, 2026
New Hope Baptist Church
1807 Reverend John Raphael Jr. Way, New Orleans
8 a.m. CT – Visitation and public viewing
9 a.m. CT – Funeral service
Final salute – Public farewell – Outside the church following the service.
11:30 a.m. CT – Funeral march and second line
The funeral march will start in front of New Hope Baptist Church with a short procession and end with a second line song to bid farewell.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CT – Interment
Rising Star Pilgrims Rest Cemetery
1103 Cardinal St. LaPlace, Louisiana
1:30 p.m. CT – Repast
Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center
5909 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117
The Prevost family invites everyone to post video, photos, songs, or any kind of virtual tribute to Civil Rights Pioneer Dorothy Prevost via social media using the hashtag: #DorothyPrevost, #NewOrleansFour, #WomenOfTheMovement, #AlwaysVote, #WomensHistoryMonth, or leave a written tribute on the dedicated page on www.NewOrleansFourLegacy.com/DorothyPrevost
READ MORE:Prevost family: ‘Be all you can be’
