Medgar Wiley Evers, the Mississippi NAACP field secretary assassinated on June 12, 1963, was married to Myrlie Evers (later Myrlie Evers-Williams) at the time of his death. After his murder, she preserved his legacy, pursued higher education, and remarried in 1971. This article clarifies her marital timeline, offers verified citations to key life events, and explains how Myrlie Evers-Williams has balanced honoring Evers with building a life that included a second marriage.
Background on Medgar Evers and his marriage
Medgar Evers served as the NAACP’s first field secretary for Mississippi, leading voter registration efforts and investigating racist violence. He married Myrlie Beasley in 1951 at the Masonic Temple in Vicksburg, Mississippi, after meeting at Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University). They had three children: Reena, James Van, and Derrik. Myrlie supported Medgar’s activism, often managing logistics and providing emotional refuge amid death threats. On June 12, 1963, he was shot in the driveway of their home in Jackson, Mississippi, and died at a local hospital.
Myrlie Evers’s life after Medgar’s death
In the immediate aftermath of her husband’s murder, Myrlie Evers focused on raising their children and ensuring his activism endured. She worked with newspapers and civil rights leaders to keep his story alive and later channeled her grief into activism and education. She enrolled at Pomona College, earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1968, and pursued graduate work. By the late 1960s, she had become a nationally recognized voice on civil rights, speaking at churches, campuses, and community centers.
Did Myrlie Evers remarry?
Yes, Myrlie Evers remarried. On June 5, 1971, she married Charles Evers-Williams, a Korean War veteran who worked as a civil rights advocate and businessman. The marriage marked a new chapter in her life while remaining deeply connected to activism and public service. Charles Evers-Williams passed away in 2020. Since then, Myrlie Evers-Williams has continued her advocacy, notably serving as chair of the NAACP and delivering the invocation at Barack Obama’s second presidential inauguration in 2013.
Key dates in Myrlie Evers’s marital timeline
| Year or date | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Myrlie Beasley married Medgar Evers | Established the family unit central to his Mississippi organizing |
| June 12, 1963 | Medgar Evers assassinated | Myrlie became a widow and public symbol of resilience |
| 1968 | Myrlie earned a degree from Pomona College | Launched her trajectory as a national speaker and advocate |
| June 5, 1971 | Myrlie married Charles Evers-Williams | She remarried, balancing private life with continued activism |
| 2009–2013 | Chair of the NAACP board | She shaped organizational strategy and outreach |
| 2013 | Invocation at Barack Obama’s second inauguration | A prominent national moment honoring the civil rights movement |
Public records and community memory
Archival interviews, news coverage from the 1970s, and institutional biographies confirm that Myrlie Evers referred to herself as both the widow of Medgar Evers and as Myrlie Evers-Williams after her remarriage. In published interviews, she has spoken about the importance of honoring Medgar’s legacy while acknowledging that her life continued and that she formed another committed partnership. Genealogical records, marriage licenses, and organizational histories from the NAACP corroborate her marital status changes without ambiguity.
Frequently asked questions
- What was Myrlie Evers’s maiden name? Beasley.
- When did she remarry? June 5, 1971.
- Who did she marry? Charles Evers-Williams, a Korean War veteran and civil rights advocate.
- Did she keep his name after his death in 2020? Public references use “Myrlie Evers-Williams.”
- How many children did she have with Medgar Evers? Three: Reena, James Van, and Derrik.
How Myrlie Evers has described her relationships publicly
In speeches and interviews, Myrlie Evers-Williams has framed her life as rooted in love for her first husband and gratitude for her second. She has emphasized that remarrying did not diminish her commitment to Medgar’s memory but allowed her to find companionship and stability while continuing her advocacy. This nuanced stance has helped public audiences understand how personal resilience and historical legacy can coexist across decades.
Why this question persists and how to answer it clearly
Questions about whether Myrlie Evers remarried often arise because her role as a widow-activist is so prominent in civil rights history. The visibility of her later marriage to Charles Evers-Williams is sometimes overlooked in summaries that focus narrowly on her grief after 1963. Clear timelines, verified records, and direct references to her own statements provide an accurate, enduring response that respects both her loss and her full life story.
Conclusion
Myrlie Evers, the wife of Medgar Evers, did remarry on June 5, 1971, to Charles Evers-Williams. This fact is documented in public biographies, marriage records, and interviews. Her journey from widow to remarried activist reflects a life that honored Medgar’s legacy while embracing new relationships and continued leadership. Reliable sources confirm these details, ensuring that her story remains clear and accurate for present and future audiences.