Campus post office may bear name of former trustee: Dr. Clifford B. Jones, Sr.

Ken Willis/Office of Rep. G.K. Butterfield
September 06, 2007

Washington, D.C. – Congressman G. K. Butterfield filed legislation naming the post office on the Elizabeth City State University campus in honor of Dr. Clifford B. Jones, Sr. &quotDr. Jones was a wonderful person who cared deeply about his community,&quot Butterfield said. The son of a physician, Dr. Jones was born in Washington County and spent his youth in Hampton, Va. before graduating from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C. in 1923. Four years later, he earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College Dental School in Nashville, Tenn. Shortly after earning his dental degree, he began a 66-year dental practice in Elizabeth City, N.C. Butterfield said that his father, Dr. G. K. Butterfield, shared a close and lifelong friendship with the fellow dentist. Butterfield said that his father, who served on the Wilson City Council, encouraged Dr. Jones to run for City Council in Elizabeth City. In 1957, Dr. Jones became one of the first African Americans to run for a seat on the city council, and he was defeated by just 28 votes. In the 1960s, Dr. Jones was appointed to the Elizabeth City – Pasquotank County School Board. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Museum of the Albemarle. Dr. Jones, a former vice chair of the ECSU Board of Trustees, was named Trustee Emeritus on March 3, 1986. With the consent of the Elizabeth City State University, Butterfield filed legislation to rename the campus Post Office at 1704 Weeksville Road in honor of Dr. Jones. The legislation is co-sponsored by fellow N.C. U.S. Reps. David Price, Bob Etheridge, Walter Jones, Heath Shuler, Mel Watt, Brad Miller and Virginia Foxx. Butterfield said that he’s hopeful that the legislation will be approved before year’s end. Over the course of his life, Dr. Jones was recognized with numerous awards and honors for his commitment to his community. He received the Meharry Medical College President’s Award for Service to Mankind. Twice he was awarded the Delta Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Certificate of Honor for exceptional service to the citizens of Northeastern North Carolina in the field of dentistry. He was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City Council of Elizabeth City for his invaluable services on the City’s Human Relations Committee. Dr. Jones received a Special Recognition Award for loyalty and service to the dental profession from the Old North State Dental Society. Dr. Jones died in 1995 at the age of 99. This modified press release appears courtesy of Ken Willis in the office of U. S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield.