GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The city of Gainesville honored a late civil rights activist and community leader by naming a street in his honor.
Charles S. Chestnut III, was a local civil rights leader, politician, and the first African American member of the Alachua County School Board. He passed away on December 4 at the age of 83.
On Tuesday, the city revealed a new street sign memorializing his impact. The unveiling ceremony took place across the street from Chestnut Funeral Home, the family’s mortuary business. They shared in a Facebook post this sign is the first of 68 that will mark the stretch of 8th Avenue now also known as Charles S. Chestnut III Avenue.
On December 7, the Gainesville City Commission voted to rename a portion of 8th Avenue between Northwest 6th Street and Waldo Road as Charles S. Chestnut III to honor his legacy.
READ MORE: Gainesville roadway renamed to honor legacy of the late civil rights leader Charles Chestnut III
He was the husband of current Gainesville City Commissioners, Cynthia Moore Chestnut. He served as an Alachua County Commissioner from 1992 to 2000.
“It is a particularly fitting tribute, as the family business, located at 18 Northwest 8th Avenue, has been owned and operated by generations of the Chestnut family for more than a century,” shared the city of Gainesville.
The funeral home was founded in 1914 and a state marker acknowledges its historical significance.
Celebration of Life
Funeral arrangements to celebrate Chestnut’s life includes three separate visitations:
Visitations
Thursday, Dec. 14 – 3:30-6:30 p.m.
New Mt. Pisgah AME Church
345 NE Washington St.
Lake City
Friday, Dec. 15 – 3:30-6:30 p.m.
New St. John Missionary Baptist Church
2251 NW 2nd St.
Ocala
Sunday, Dec. 17 – 2-7 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church
Gainesville
Monday, Dec. 18
1:00 p.m.
Phillips Center For Performing Arts
3201 Hull Rd.
Gainesville