2020 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 24
BY SENATOR CARTER
A RESOLUTION
To express sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death
of Lizzie Mae Henry Charles, a community activist in the Algiers Cut-Off
Neighborhood of Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Lizzie Mae Henry was born January 12, 1936, to Clarence and
Ernestine Henry of New Orleans, Louisiana, and she was the eldest of six children born to
the couple; and
WHEREAS, when Lizzie was twelve her family moved from the Seventh Ward area
of New Orleans to make their home in Lower Coast Algiers, known as "the Cut-Off;" and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Henry was raised in the Second Baptist Church of the Algiers
Cut-Off community where she was baptized and learned to love the Lord; and
WHEREAS, as an adult, Lizzie became a member of the Asbury United Methodist
Church where she raised her children and participated in numerous church activities,
including singing in the Women of Perfection Choir, Sunday school Bible classes, vacation
Bible school, prayer and fasting ministry, and the Women of Asbury conferences; and
WHEREAS, on May 1, 1951, she married the love of her life, Hammond Charles Sr.
and the couple had twelve children, raising them in a Christian home filled with love and
support; and
WHEREAS, in 1967 tragedy struck as Hammond Charles met an untimely death and
at only thirty-two, Lizzie Charles was left to raise her eight sons and four daughters, two of
whom had physical challenges, on her own, drawing strength from her work ethic, her faith
in God, and from the wise teachings of Norman Vincent Peale regarding "positive thinking;"
and
WHEREAS, Lizzie created a loving and faithful home for her children and with her
leadership and example, she and her children deepened their commitment to their
community and found opportunities to give back to that community in many ways; and
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WHEREAS, all of the couple's children took part in athletics, or pageantry, or
political activism and religion, based on the strong foundation laid by Lizzie and Hammond
before his death; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Charles began her work career as a domestic worker and house
manager and subsequently sought employment with the Orleans Parish School Board, first
in food service at Murray Henderson Elementary School, and later, as a transportation
monitor; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Charles worked as an election poll worker for many years,
stationed at the Cut-Off Recreation Center where she became a fixture, greeting everyone
with her beautiful smile; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Mae Henry Charles was a well-known community activist who
worked tirelessly to bring paved streets, lighting, and better schools to the area of Algiers
Cut-Off, the second oldest neighborhood in the city; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Charles was instrumental in the integration of the Orleans Parish
school system, including McDonogh 45 Elementary School, Edna Karr Junior High School
(later a high school only), and O. Perry Walker High School; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Charles was committed to improving the quality of education,
particularly for those minority children living in the Algiers, Gretna, and McDonogh areas
of the West Bank of New Orleans; and
WHEREAS, during the years of the struggle for school integration, Lizzie Charles
was focused on the rights of minority students in the context of districtwide school
integration; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Charles worked with the Cut-Off playground booster club for
years and was committed to providing a safe outdoor space for children living in crowded,
and sometimes blighted, areas of the West Bank; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Charles became the president of the Friends of Charity
Benevolent Society Association where she worked to provide the best service possible for
the association's members; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Charles worked tirelessly within her church and her community
working to bring a better way of life to those who lived on the West Bank of New Orleans,
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particularly Algiers Cut-Off and has been said to have been a voice for the voiceless during
trying times for her community; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie was ever the life of the party and was not bothered to be the first
on the dance floor when one of her favorite songs was being played; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Charles had many interests, but her greatest passion was for her
family; her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews were all the fortunate recipients of
her love and the joy that she brought to the life she lived; and
WHEREAS, Lizzie Mae Henry Charles was a devoted follower of Christ, a
passionate and energetic member of Asbury Methodist Church, the inspiring mother of
twelve children whom she raised largely alone after her husband's death, a tireless
community activist working for the children of the West Bank to assure their access to good
integrated public schools, and a loving matriarch to a grateful family.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Lizzie Mae Henry Charles, a
community activist in the Algiers Cut-Off Neighborhood of Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Cubie
Charles, daughter of Mrs. Lizzie Charles on behalf of the family.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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