The Yazoo community is mourning the loss of beloved community leader and former city clerk Willeva Lindsey who died last Saturday.
She was a lady who held her hometown of Yazoo City deep in her heart, constantly looking for ways to educate others of its rich history and serving in any capacity.
Lindsey served as the city clerk of Yazoo City from September 2014 until late December of that same year.
But it was probably her desire to bring Yazoo City to the forefront that she will most be remembered.
David Rae Morris, son of author Willie Morris, said Lindsey was instrumental in his production of Yazoo Revisited: Integration and Segregation in a Deep Southern Town, which has gained attention for its detailed accounts of race relations during the 1970 integration of the public schools in Yazoo City.
Morris met Lindsey in July of 2013 during a screening of an early edit of his film. Inside a New Orleans pizza parlor, he met Lindsey through a mutual friend. He wanted her opinion of the screening after he discovered she was from Yazoo City.
“After it was done, she sat down and shook my hand,” Morris said. “She told me, ‘you did a really good job telling part of the story, but you need to dig deeper.’ She was honest but direct about it.”
Meeting Lindsey in her New Orleans apartment, Morris had a productive conversation with her about the potential direction of his film. Instantly, a friendship was formed that would last until her death.
In August of 2013, Lindsey contacted Morris with contact information for eight people who she felt would be vital in his film production. Those people included Aubry Brent Sr., Aubry Brent Jr. and Herbert Scott.
“After that, I was ready to move forward largely in part because of Willeva’s interest and care,” Morris said.
Thanks to Lindsey’s insight, Morris said he would work on his film for another year and a half.
“She was tremendously influential in who I reached out to, especially older folks in the black community who still remembered integration and the years before,” Morris said. “Her role in the film was very important as an advisor and confidante.”
Lindsey would refer to Morris as “Steven Spielberg,” even referring to him as such via text message.
Lindsey would even work the door at the film’s local premier at the Triangle Cultural Center.
“She was a great lady with great, lively conversation,” Morris said. “She loved Yazoo City. We all love Yazoo City. She knew a lot of people, wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and great with community affairs. I will miss her.”
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at noon at Christ the King Catholic Church in Jackson under the direction of Peoples Funeral Home.
