We center readers in everything we do, informingand engagingMississippians through reporting, podcasts, events and online communities. James Charles Evers, the older brother of civil rights icon Medgar Evers, died in Mississippi Wednesday morning of natural causes, Rankin County Coroner David Ruth told CNN. Charles' daughter Carolyn Evers Cockrell, civil rights activist James Meredith, Mississippi state Sen. Hillman Frazier and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. Celeb Kids All Grown Up! Before his assassination in 1963, Medgar Evers was one of the nations most prominent civil rights leader, working to overturnsegregationat theUniversity of Mississippi, end the segregation of public facilities and expand voting rights forAfrican Americans. In 1989, Evers lost the nomination once again to political rival Kennie Middleton. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. He ran for governor in 1971 and the United States Senate in 1978, both times as an independent candidate. Still, he has dabbled in Hollywood. Medgar Evers family hit again by cancer death. I know Dad would be proud of this moment," said Velma Charlene Evers-Kreel, daughter of James Charles Evers. Still, her eldest remembers the struggle of having a super famous mom. His older brother, Charles Evers, assumed Medgar Evers' former post in the NAACP and subsequently served as the mayor of Fayette, Mississippi . His daughter Wanda Evers says she appreciated hearing . But as they aged, Louise, Sherry, Molly and Levi have each paved their own careers in showbiz. Closer Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. I have great grandchildren in the FL school system. Yolanda King, the daughter of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, portrayed Medgar Evers ' daughter Reena Evers in this film. Brandon - James Charles Evers, brother of slain civil rights leader, Medgar Wiley Evers, noted Civil Rights Activist, and Jackson businessman passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the . As Caroles kids were growing up, she kept them out of the spotlight for the most part. In 2015, Bishop Matthews was appointed as the President of the Church of God in Christ World Missions. Father of eight daughters by four mothers, twice-divorced Evers has been a friend of Martin Luther King, Nelson . Mr. Evers sat up straight and said to me, daughter I remember a time when colored folks couldn't go into . He was 97. Evers family members, politicians and other notable community members spoke at the event on Saturday, held at the Medgar Evers home in west Jackson now a national historic landmark. Family, politicians and the communitycame togetherinhonor of the 58th anniversary of the assassination of Medgar Wiley Evers,civil rights leader and thefirst field secretary of the Mississippi NAACP. People who literally laid down their lives for the benefit of not only of Jackson, Mississippi, (but) for us at large.". James Charles Evers, known as Charles, was born on September 11, 1922 in Decatur, Mississippi to parents Jesse Wright and James Evers. [2], During the war he established a brothel in Quezon City which catered to American servicemen. Many ended up leaving after growing disillusioned with Evers' pursuit of personal financial success and domineering leadership style. Among those who spoke at the event included Medgars daughter Reena Evers-Everette, Charles daughter Carolyn Evers Cockrell, civil rights activist James Meredith, Mississippi state Sen. Hillman Frazier and Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. The song became the theme for the WB hit Gilmore Girls after the pair changed the original lyrics to reflect their mother-daughter bond. Prior to becoming news director, J.T. [11] He also helped his brother with black voter registration drives. After losing the mayoral election in 1989, Evers became the store manager of WMPR 90.1FM in Jackson, Mississippi. [6] In 1949, he began working as a disc jockey at WHOC,[9] making him the first black disc jockey in the state. Glender was born in Creole, LA, on October 13, 1938 to parents Joseph Levan Broussard and Ethel Broussard Savoy. She said it was her father's time to []. In 2017, Evers was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame for his contributions to the music industry. He passed away this week in Brandon, Mississippi, of "natural causes." 5. Keep scrolling to learn more about Caroles four kids! This diversity in party affiliations throughout his life was reflected in his fostering of friendships with people from a variety of backgrounds, as well as his advising of politicians from across the political spectrum. All rights reserved. Tony Byrne said Charles Evers never got the credit he deserved. Claridon - Charles Robert Evers, 85, of Claridon, signed off one final time on May 24, 2020 at his home. [10], On June 12, 1963, Byron De La Beckwith, a member of a Ku Klux Klan chapter, fatally shot Evers's brother, Medgar, in Mississippi as he arrived home from work. (WLBT) - Charles Evers, a civil rights activist and older brother of Medgar Evers, died at 97 years old. Born in Decatur, Mississippi, Evers had a devoutly Christian mother and a fearless . [16] He also led a voter registration campaign. degree from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College in Lorman, Mississippi in 1950. Digital Library. So that is the voter suppression in the worst kind of way. "[25] The local white community was bitter about his victory, but he became intensively popular among Mississippi's blacks. [1], In 1969, Evers was named "Man of the Year" by the NAACP. Growing up in Mississippi during the era of Jim Crow, Evers witnessed the effects of racial discrimination and prejudice firsthand. Often accompanied by a group of 65 male followers, he would pressure local blacks in small towns to avoid stores under boycott and directly challenge white business leaders. Her second husband, Walter Williams, died of cancer. Myrlie Evers recalled Cambi as Mini-Me because of how much the Vassar College graduate resembled her in looks and personality. Know about the people that preceded them and what they stood for.". [45] The night of the election, Evers shook the hands of Waller supporters in Jackson and then went to a local television station where his opponent was delivering a victory speech. Stay up to date with all of Mississippis latest news by signing up for our free newsletter here. Carole and Gerry went on to have their second child, Sherry, in 1962, but the former couple called it quits in 1969. [10] Between 1952 and 1955, Evers often spoke at the RCNL's annual conferences in Mound Bayou, a town founded by freedmen, on such issues as voting rights. In 2015, Cambi Evers-Everette was planning her perfect wedding to Ben Coe when she learned she had breast cancer and endured 16 rounds of treatment. About three-fourths of the population was black, and they had long been socially and economically subordinate to the white minority. In what was a surprise . Those who attendedheard speeches by members of the Evers family, close family friends and politicians. Charles Evers. Carmigo is an online vehicle marketplace connecting individual sellers with dealerships. It is important that as we move forward, we do not forget our past. Charles introduced Medgar to the U.S. civil rights movement and was a successful organizer in his own right. FILE - Charles Evers, brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, attends the funeral for blues legend B.B. There is no question about it. However, the house hasn't been open to the public as the National Parks Service ismaking sure the home is safe and historically accurate. He was the eldest of four children; . Remembering the life and legacy of The Honorable James Charles Evers. We are going to control these three counties in the next ten years. The late James Charles Evers to have historic sign unveiling, honoring his life and legacy, 5 adults, 3 children injured in three-vehicle crash in Hinds County, Pearl Police arrest man after high speed chase through multiple cities, 3 illegal immigrants captured after escaping ICE vehicle in Mississippi, Pike Co. man shot while driving down the road, suspect captured, MSDH: Daycare where child nearly drowned did not have enough staff, pool not secure, GRAPHIC: Huskies rescued, owner arrested in Jones Co. following animal welfare complaint, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit. By the early 1950s, he was managing a hotel, cab company, and burial insurance business in the town. They darted straight toward the sky before turning sharply, heading home. In the interview, co-host David Watkins asked Evers what can be done to put a halt to Jackson s problems. [42], In the general election, Evers faced Democratic nominee Bill Waller and independent segregationist Thomas Pickens Brady. All rights reserved. BRANDON, Miss. Municipal elections are currently scheduled for next summer with Lumumba and Evers the only two candidates thus far. Cambis mother, Reena, recalled how close she was to her baby girl, her nickname for Cambi. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. : Signed. [1] Evers graduated from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. At the age of ten, he witnessed a horrific lynching of a black man who had been accused of insulting a white woman. [10], In Mississippi about 1951, brothers Charles and Medgar Evers grew interested in African freedom movements. James Meredith is a political activist, writer, and Air Force veteran who was the first African American student admitted to . He quickly responded to concerns from poor blacks while making white businessmen wait outside of his office. Charles Evers was an American civil rights activist, businessman, disc jockey, politician and father. Charles Evers,, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Evers&oldid=1128776327, 1969: Evers was named "Man of the Year" by the, 2012: Evers was honored with a marker on the, This page was last edited on 21 December 2022, at 23:13. Evers did not like to share or delegate power. In the interview, co-host David Watkins asked Evers what can be done to put a halt to Jackson's problems. The Grammy winner experienced motherhood again during her second marriage with Charles Larkey. Despite a super busy career, King still prioritized her kids. Civic activist and political leader Charles Evers was born on September 11, 1922 in Decatur, Mississippi to Jess Wright and James Evers. J.T. AP Myrlie Evers, left, and her daughter Reena Evers-Everett celebrate the murder conviction of Bryon De La Beckwith, charged with the June 12, 1963, murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, in . "[14] A decade after his death, Evers and blues musician B.B. 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