Page 249 - lake-city-florida-a-sesquicentennial-tribute-(h-morris-williams-kevin-mccarthy)-2009

Lake City, Florida: A Sesquicentennial Tribute (2009) H. Morris Williams, Dr. Kevin M. McCarthy

Chapter Seventeen: 1970 - 1979
McKinley Jeffers was a county extension agent for the black
farmers of Columbia County; trained staff to teach proper methods
for farming, canning, health, and sanitation; and served as recruiting
representative for the U.S. Navy, a member of the Lake City Cham-
ber of Commerce, liaison for the State Welfare Board, and Chairman
of the American Red Cross Drive. He was awarded a Congressional
Medal for his work with draftees, a certificate for meritorious service
from the American Red Cross, a certificate of appreciation in 1944
from President Franklin Roosevelt, and a certificate for outstanding
service to the state and nation from President Harry Truman.

Benjamin Jeffers, the son of McKinley Jeffers Sr. re-
ferred to on the previous page, served as head of the Southeastern
U.S.A. Office of Civil Rights (OCR) under President Jimmy Carter
and was later Chief of Staff under Louisiana Governor Edwin W.
Edwards. Through Ben Jeffers’ influence, Governor Edwards pro-
claimed November 5, 2005, as “Richardson High School Day in Loui-
siana.” Another son, McKinley Jeffers Jr., was a local high school
teacher.

Lake City had a rare snowstorm in 1977.
Standing beside the car is Mrs. Kenny Baas.

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