Tessa Beil, fierce disability and LGBTQ+ advocate, dies at 24.

Tessa Alexandra Beil, beloved advocate and award-winning writer, born on August 30, 2001, tragically passed away in Tulsa on November 10, 2025. 

Tessa was always motivated by a passion for art in all its forms. As a child, they studied piano and dabbled in filmmaking with their cousins. At Booker T. Washington High School, Tessa competed in speech and debate, qualifying for nationals three times in original oratory, and was lead singer of the iconic punk band, Sylvia Wrath. At the University of Tulsa, Tessa studied Art History and Women’s and Gender studies while working at the Philbrook Museum. Tessa’s love for art was matched only by their love for community, especially those who are LGBTQ+ and/or living with disabilities. Tessa was a lifelong volunteer for JDRF (now Breakthrough T1D), participated in countless Pride events, and served as a board member of SOFA, Booker T. Washington’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Those who knew Tessa well will remember their dry humor and clever wit; they were one of the quietest people in any room, yet often the funniest.

Tessa is survived by their parents, Shelby Beil and Jennifer Caviston; their grandmas, Collette Beil and Helena Caviston; their sister, Sydney Clary; their dogs Jackie and Leo, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A service honoring Tessa’s life will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 16, 2025 in the Great Hall at the Allen Chapman Student Union on the University of Tulsa campus.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Youth Services of Tulsa https://www.yst.org/  on Tessa’s behalf.

Ninde Funeral & Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | ninde.com