Post office named in honor of Dr. Clifford B. Jones, Sr.
Kesha Williams
Posted On November 8, 2010
Kesha Williams
November 08, 2010
On October 25, the U.S. Post Office on the campus of Elizabeth City State University was named in honor of a former trustee and local dentist, Dr. Clifford Bell Jones, Sr.
U. S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield stood before a crowd in the Walter and Henrietta Ridley Student Complex and recalled a man who worked as a local dentist until age 99 and a man who volunteered diligently in the community. Butterfield said the elder dentist was also a personal friend and classmate of his father. In May of 2008, President George W. Bush signed legislation offered by Butterfield to name the Post Office in honor of Jones, an Elizabeth City – Pasquotank County school board member, trustee emeritus of the university, and a World War I veteran. The legislation names the Contract Post Office at 1704 Weeksville Road as the "Dr. Clifford Bell Jones, Sr. Post Office."
ECSU Chancellor Dr. Willie J. Gilchrist said he was excited to see the post office named after Jones, a local public servant. Speakers for the program included Elizabeth City Mayor Roger McLean, the Rev. Charles Foster, N. C. Rep. Bill Owens (1st District), and other civic officials, community leaders, family and friends of Dr. Jones.
Dr. Clifford B Jones (1895-1995) was born in Washington County, N.C., spent his formative years in Hampton, Virginia, and later attended Lutheran College in Greensboro, North Carolina.&nbsp He received the Bachelor of Science degree from Shaw University in Raleigh in 1923.&nbsp Dr. Jones earned the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1927 from the Meharry Medical College Dental School (Nashville, Tenn).&nbsp He studied further in the area of orthodontics at the Dewey School of Orthodontics in New York City.&nbsp Shortly after being awarded his dental degree, he began his professional life in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where he practiced general dentistry for 66 years.&nbsp
Dr. Jones ardently participated in many local and community activities.&nbsp He was one of the first African Americans to run for City Council in Elizabeth City in 1957 and was defeated by only 28 votes.&nbsp Later, in the 60s, he was appointed to serve on the Elizabeth City – Pasquotank County school board.&nbsp He served as a deacon at Corner Stone Missionary Baptist Church in Elizabeth City and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of the Albemarle.&nbsp He was a trustee emeritus of Elizabeth City State University.&nbsp A veteran of World War I, he was a member of the American Legion Post 223.&nbsp Dr. Jones was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and he was a 32 degree Mason.&nbsp
Dr. Jones was a member of numerous professional organizations which included the Eastern North Carolina Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Society the Alexander Hunter Dental Society the John F. McGriff Dental Society of Tidewater, Virginia the Fifth District Dental Society of the North Carolina Dental Society the old North State Dental Society the North Carolina Dental Society the American Dental Society and the Chicago Dental Society as an associate.&nbsp
Dr. Jones was the recipient of several awards and honors.&nbsp He received the Meharry Medical College President’s Award for Service to Mankind.&nbsp Twice he was awarded the Delta Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Certificate of Honor for exceptional service to the citizens of Northeastern North Carolina in the field of dentistry.&nbsp He was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City Council of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, for his invaluable services on the City’s Human Relations Committee.&nbsp Dr. Jones received a Special Recognition Award for loyalty and service to the dental profession from the Old North State Dental Society.
Dr. Jones dedicated his life to servicing mankind in his profession and community for the better part of his 99 years.&nbsp
