Dec. 22, 1943 – Nov. 20, 2018

NATCHEZ — Services for Jessie Bernard Williams, 74, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Melvin White officiating.         
Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Robert D. Mackel and Sons Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Sunday at the church.
Mrs. Williams was born Dec. 22, 1943, in Natchez, the daughter of George and Alma Matthews Bernard.
She was a graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School and Jackson State University, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Williams was one of the vocal leaders for civil rights and equal opportunity in Natchez and the state of Mississippi. She served as secretary of the Natchez Branch of the NAACP during turbulent times and served as one of the first black women on the National Committee of the Young Democrats of Mississippi.
She also taught in the Natchez-Adams School District from 1988 to 2004, where she helped to impact many of her students’ lives. Over the years, she received a number of awards and recognitions for her service and contributions to the community.
Williams was preceded in death by her parents and a number of beloved siblings.
Survivors include one son, Carlos Evers and wife, Carla, of Gulfport; six grandchildren, DaVionshé Evers, Brandy Conner, Kimberly Washington and husband, Edward, DeKarlos Evers, Kianté Evers and Kih’Ari Evers; two great-grandchildren, Edward Washington III and Zoey Washington; one aunt, Bernice Matthews; two sisters, Margaret Pierce and Connie White; one brother, Frederick Bernard; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and adopted children in the community.