On Thursday, June 7, New Orleans lost Eva Louis Perry, fondly known as Tee Eva. The former backup singer for Ernie K-Doe shared with her city myriad talents, including the baking of pies.

As reported by WWOZ, after growing up in the Magnolia public-housing complex, she took the baking and cooking lessons from her grandmother and turned them into a career for herself.  Tee-Eva’s Authentic New Orleans Pralines remains a Magazine Street staple, now operated by her granddaughter. She also made a name for herself as a vendor of pies and pralines and eventually opened a shop on Freret Street before it arrived at its current location on Dufossat Street.

Outside of food, Mrs. Perry was known for parading with the Baby Dolls. In 2003, she helped launch the Ernie K-Doe Baby Dolls. “In 2003, one of her ideas was to revive the baby dolls, a Carnival tradition dating to the early 20th century where African-American women dressed in short skirt and bloomers. Antoinette K-Doe enlisted Mrs. Perry and Geannie Thomas to help lead a group dubbed the Ernie K-Doe Baby Dolls,” writes NOLA.com’s  Todd A. Price.

The office of Mayor Latoya Cantrell released the following statement following the news of Tee Eva’s death:

“New Orleans has lost an icon, an inspiration, and a true original with the passing of Tee Eva. Her pralines and sweets were a local treasure, and the Baby Dolls represent the true culture of New Orleans. She was a culinary and cultural legend. A daughter of the city of New Orleans. May she Rest In Peace.”

Her death was confirmed by close friend and Baby Dolls co-founder Thomas, as well as Antoinette K-Doe. She was 83.