Ms. Dorothy D. Scott Chesser

Ms. Dorothy Dean Scott Chesser, 83, of Liberty, MS transitioned to her heavenly home on January 13, 2022, at Baptist Desoto Hospital in Southaven, MS after a brief illness. Memorial service to honor her life Saturday, April 16 11:00am - 12:00pm at Tickfaw Missionary Baptist Church. Ms. Chesser was born April 19, 1938, the youngest daughter of Ellis and Martha Scott. She was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings (Bernell, Odell, Luther, Ellis Jr., and two who died as infants). Over her 83 years, Ms. Dorothy Scott Chesser lived a rich, compassionate life as an educator, dedicated church member, civil rights activist, mother, mentor, and humanitarian. At an early age, Ms. Chesser showed a gift for excelling at school. She graduated from Europe Bates School in 1956, and went on to attend Alcorn State University, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Secondary Mathematics. She would then begin her career as a Mathematics teacher in Vicksburg, MS. Over the next 40 years, she would go on to teach in the South Pike, Wilkinson, Amite County and Pike County School Districts. She was a member of Tickfaw Missionary Baptist Church for over 70 years, where she was actively involved in the Women’s Missionary Society, Sunday School, and Vocational Bible School, often serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies for countless programs and events. Ms. Chesser was also an active member of the Heroines of Jericho (Court #474) and the Amite County Chapter of the Alcorn State University Alumni Association. In 2001, Ms. Chesser retired from teaching full-time, however, she would never retire from her activism. From the Civil Rights Movement to her death, Ms. Chesser worked to help others in her community. During the Civil Rights Movement, she worked with the Freedom Riders and other activists to help register African-Americans to vote in Amite County. In 1977, Ms. Chesser led a boycott of Amite County Schools that led to the integration of the schools by gender. Other community activism included working with the 4-H, the AJFC Public Policy Council, the Mississippi Women’s Association, the Homemakers Volunteer Club, the ACLU, and the NAACP, first joining in 1961. And in November 2014, she was honored at the Mississippi State Convention of the NAACP with the Sam Bailey Long Distance Award for her life-long work to help make the world a better and more just place. Ms. Chesser leaves to cherish her memory: her children—Derrick (Debra) Dace of Robinsonville, MS, Tracy Dace of Champaign, IL, MaConnia Chesser of Lenox, MA, Jermon (Shawnda) Chesser of Memphis, TN, and Tasha Chesser of Robinsonville, MS; her granddaughter Jessica Dace of Walls, MS; her siblings Wilma Hampton of Magnolia, MS, Earnest (Minnie) Scott of Magnolia, MS and Rev. James (Rowanner) Allen of Liberty, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives, church family, dear friends, and students.

Ms. Dorothy D. Scott Chesser

April 19, 1938 - January 13, 2022