UPDATE: A memorial service for Michael Teasley will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at Antioch Baptist Church in Pearl, Miss.
Article from The Clarion-Ledger
Michael Teasley, Jackson State University’s first white NAACP president, was found dead in his apartment Monday night, according to a state NAACP official.
Michael Teasley
Mississippi NAACP president Derrick Johnson confirmed this morning that Teasley was found dead in his apartment.
Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart said Teasley appears to have died of natural causes.
Teasley, 40, grew up in rural Rankin County, was elected president of the JSU chapter of the NAACP in late 2010. He is the first white person to hold that position among historically black colleges and universities.
Teasley served as 2nd vice president in 2008-09 and 2009-10 before being elected by the 60-plus-member chapter last spring as president for the 2010-11 term.
Friend Garrad Lee said he had seen Teasley on JSU’s campus just a few weeks ago.
“In the short time I knew him we became fairly close, mostly through our similar roles in activisim,” Lee said. “I always looked up to him.”
One project he dedicated himself to all his life was helping sign black people up to vote.
Posts on his Facebook wall from fellow students and civil rights activists mourn his passing.
Jackson State University News Room 
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Mike was a God send to the Jefferson-Huggins family. He was the big brother for my son Oliver and I thank you for that. He taught Oliver how to make a difference in the community. I was always comfortable when Mike was in Oliver’s life. I was so happy how on Saturday mornings he would wake Oliver up to assist him with the GED program he started. He took care of everyone he met. Such a genuine young man. It will be hard for me to come to Jackson and not see Mike, but your spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those you touched. Chad, I heard a lot about you from Mike and Oliver. My prayers are with you and your family.
Luv ya! Oliver’s mom- Charlotte Jefferson
We need more people like Michael Teasley. He was that rare type of man that was brave and courageous in ways not expressed in grand machismo, but in bold action. He was just…Michael. I know his family, natural and extended, mourn his sudden loss. As his brother (and my classmate) Chad pointed out, Mike’s heart was just too big to be contained in this world. I hope the JSU community honors him by picking up his banner and emulating his manner. Rest in Peace, my friend.
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This is total crap! I hate this! Natural causes! Mike was awesome! Your not suppose to die young from natural causes! How could someone so righteous jus b gone. I’m try n not to curse!
R.I.P. Michael Teasley had I not looked at the JSU website today I would have never known… I remember working with you. You had such a die-hard attitude. May God bless your family and friends that mourn…
I am still in shock. It’s still hard to believe. This semester just won’t be the same without seeing him around campus recruiting new members or making people laugh with his jokes. His spirit, smile, and humour will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Mike
My prayers goes out to Michael’s family and friends! JSU will miss him dearly for he was a great leader and friend! I will never forget the how he help my on my first year at JSU teaching me how to embrace JSU and all they had to offer!! He was always a leader, a friend to everyone! Michael has set a path for the JSU leaders to come will never forget!! Rest in Peace Mike!!!!
Sleep in Christ, Michael. My condolences to the family.
this is a sad day for us in Tiger Country. My prayers are with his family.
Obviously Mike was among the rare breed of human beings with a free mind of his own, a philanthropist and we will all miss him. His family must be proud to have such a citizen of the world.RIP
The last memory I have of Michael is him presenting flowers to the Scott Sisters upon their release from prison. He was a sincere worker for justice. He will be missed. Hopefully, a family member will be on hand to accept what i’m sure JSU will present in his memory next spring, his degree in political science posthumously. It would be all too fitting for this drum major for justice..
Mike is my younger brother. I am so touched at the kind sentiments expressed in reaction to the news of his passing. His family and I are all very grateful that in what turned out to be the last years of his life, he was among devoted friends who cared so much about him, and that in his passion for social justice he was able to make a real difference in the lives of many others. He truly loved Jackson State. To Mike, each of you were as much his family as were his blood relatives. God bless you.
Respectfully,
Chad Teasley
The faculty, students, and alumni of the Political Science department grieve the lost of our friend and colleague, Michael Teasley. Michael’s passion for having an impact on his community and world has inspired and challenged us for several years. His intensity to make an immediate difference pushed all of us to be better citizens and more engaged in creating social change. He not only provided us opportunities to become involved, but reminded us of the importance of the work we do–not only in the classroom, but in the community. We are all diminished because of his loss, but we are better for having known him.
R.I.P Tiger!!!!!!!
Aww man r.i.p. he was a great guy he was nice and got along with everyone
This brother is a real lead from the front type of person. Whenever I’d se this Mike he’d have some event, project, program, or drive that he’d want me to participate in. As a leader, he made everyone feel like they’re smallest contribution was extremely important. Last time I talked to Mike he was telling me about a GED program he had started for his neighbors in Washington Addition. My brother from another mother, Michael Teasley. May he rest in peace.
What a tremendous example of activism and citizenship. Thanks to Mike for the impact he left on many of the lives at JSU and the example he embodied. He will be missed dearly
I am saddened to hear of the death of Michael Teasley. I got to know him a few years ago, and he was always so upbeat and nice. In one of our conversations, he voiced his concerns about social justice: he was concerned with people having equal rights. I will truly miss seeing him on the campus of JSU. I express my sincere condolence to his family and friends.
Michael will be missed but not forgotten! His goals and works will live on through our initiatives. He was a dear friend, colleague, and brother. Just recently he wanted to do a photography collaboration with me. It saddens me to have missed that opportunity.
Michael came to my office last week to talk about his mathematics professor Dr. Aouina and how he helped him to understand the concepts in college algebra and how he made it easy to learn. Michael was so proud that he mastered this course. I am going to remember him as a very nice dedicated student who was all about getting an education at JSU. He was a great LEADER.
The world just lost a very sincere person. Michael was my first work-study student here at JSU. He loved JSU and I know he was and will always be True Blue! Students like him make me love my job. He will be missed!