SU gives tribute to Jesse Stone

Over 200 students, alumni, and friends reflected, reminisced, and rejoiced in the life and times of Jesse Nealand Stone Jr. on Friday October 5, 2001 in A.A. Lenoir Hall.
Known to many simply as “Jesse” the former dean of the Southern University Law Center and Southern University System president paved the way for many at the university, local, state, and national level.
“He was the chief cornerstone of the Law Center and the Southern University System and I’m proud to follow in his footsteps,” said the Honorable John F.K. Belton, Chairman of the Southern University System.
Vice Chancellor Arthur Stallworth presided over the program.
Guest were welcomed with entertaining “I remember when” and “do you remember the time” stories from Professor Washington Marshall, Interim Chancellor of the Southern University Law Center, Dr. Leon R. Tarver II, president of the Southern University System, and Kemic Smothers, Student Bar Association president at the Law Center.
“Jesse blazed paths for everyone and built bridges in the past that far extends beyond today,” said Tarver.
There was not a dry eye in the room when Glinder Young gave soul-stirring renditions of “My Living Shall not be in Vain” and “Wind Beneath My Wings”.
The Honorable Tony Clayton, a member of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, amused the audience on such hard times Stone gave him when he was matriculating through the Law Center.
“People use to always tease me with sayings such as ‘there you go driving Mr. Daisy’ when I use to drive Mr. Stone around,” joked Clayton.
“On a serious note, I felt it was a privilege for me to do whatever I could do for him. I learned so much from him about the judicial system, self respect, and life in general while being with him,” Clayton stated.
A video tribute entitled “The Bridge Builder: Dr. Jesse Nealand Stone, Jr.” chronicled the life of the great litigator, educator, statesman, and human rights advocate.
Lolis Elie, an attorney from New Orleans, B.K. Agnihotri, ambassador-at-large, and Stone’s daughter Attorney Shonda Stone Williams reflected on the untiring dedication of Stone.
“I want people to remember my father as a nonjudgmental person. He believed God gave him the intellect and a purpose to touch as many lives as he could,” Shonda Stone Williams stated. “He was a man of many passions and his works were not in vain.”
Presentations were made to the University System and Stone’s family on behalf of his memory.
Secretary of State Fox McKeithen and Baton Rouge Mayor-President Bobby Simpson proclaimed October 5, 2001 as Dr. Jesse N. Stone Day in Louisiana and that all citizens respect his legacy in Louisiana.
“I’m going to rally with key legislatures to change the name of the overpass leading into Southern University the Jesse N. Stone Bridge. He was the reason why that bridge was built,” McKeithen stated.
John Anderson, a representative from Attorney General Richard Ieyoub’s office presented Stone’s family with a certificate for his ‘untiring an unwavering support’ to the state of Louisiana. Tim Hardy, an environmental lawyer from New Orleans established the Jesse Stone Scholarship Award in honor of the “poetic visionary”.
Stone’s wife of more than 51 years, Willia Dean Anderson Stone, his daughter, Shonda Stone Williams, and his niece were in attendance.
A graduate of Southern University–Baton Rouge and the Law Center, Stone became the first black man to practice law in Shreveport in 50 years. His public service and leadership in Louisiana government included associate director of the Louisiana Commission on Human Relations, Rights, and Responsibilities, acting chairman and vice chairman of the Louisiana Advisory Committee to the President’s Cabinet Committee on Education, and state assistant superintendent of education for community affairs. In these capacities he was able to open doors of employment opportunities for African Americans.