Charles S. Chestnut III, Civil Rights leader and former Alachua County School Board member and Alachua County Commissioner, dies at age 83
Press release from City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Civil Rights leader and Chestnut Funeral Home owner Charles S. Chestnut III, the first African American member of the Alachua County School Board and former Alachua County Commissioner, has died at age 83.
Chestnut graduated from the former all-black Howard High School in Ocala in 1958 before going on to attend what is now Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and earning his degree from Eckels School of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia in 1961. Two years later, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the 200,000 people who marched on Washington to hear the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deliver his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech — later telling an interviewer that he knew at that moment he was witnessing history.
Chestnut himself played a pivotal role in the history of Gainesville and the larger story of North Central Florida. Having acquired a desire to bring progress and equality to the Jim Crow South while he was in Philadelphia, Chestnut returned to the family funeral home newly motivated to move the needle on Civil Rights.
As a local leader in the Civil Rights movement, Chestnut coordinated sit-ins with friends at the whites-only counters of Woolworth’s, McCrory’s, and other local drugstores. He became president of the Alachua County NAACP Youth Council and worked to secure equal access to public accommodations for the black residents of Alachua County. Once that goal was reached, he refocused his activism on voters’ rights, rolling out a campaign to register blacks to vote.
Chestnut was married to Gainesville City Commissioner Cynthia Moore Chestnut for more than 40 years and is father to five children, including Alachua County Commissioner Charles “Chuck” Chestnut IV and local businessman Chris Chestnut. He remained a strong and stalwart Civil Rights and business leader throughout his life.
“His shoulders were the shoulders that so many, not only here in Florida, but around the country, stood on,” said City of Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward. “Throughout his life, he continued speaking truth to power. Unconquered here on earth, his legacy will continue to lift us up, and his light will continue to shine. This is a lifetime of good work that will roll onward. We thank his family for sharing Charles Chestnut with all of us for all these decades. His loved ones are in our hearts as they celebrate this remarkable life.”
Chestnut served on the Alachua County School Board from 1976-1992 and on the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners from 1992-2000. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a loyal lifetime member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church of Gainesville, and a U.S. Army veteran.
🕊️R.I.H. Mr. Chestnut😇🙏🏽
A real Gainesville legend.💯
Prayers for the family..🕊️
He will be greatly missed. Sincerest condolences to Cynthia, Charles and family.
Deepest condolences & sympathies to The family of Charles III. He was a leader of the Gainesville community. He will truly be missed. Sleep on Mr. Chestnut.
Well I hope he got to see the parade.
He always enjoyed his evening visits to the deny
Rest in peace and God bless! Love to the family…sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss.
Praying for comfort and strength during this time.
Mrs. Chestnut I met you many years ago.
You were having a garage sale. I was the lady that told you about an odd looking table you were selling that was actually an antique commode.
Sincerest sympathy,
Anette McGee
You either liked him or not, the guy had moxey! I am fortunate to have had many dealings with Charles over the years.
The guy was a class act! Never saw him agitated by the public, press nor anything else.
Throughout life you meet people who just seem genuine regardless of their station in life.
Thank you Commissioner.
RIH Mr. Chestnut ❤️🙌🏼🌬️🕊️ God you and your family and we appreciate all the work you have done over the years 💯✔️
They left out the time when he was drunk driving with open bottle in the car & it just was swept under the rug! The son, Chris, “local businessman “ is a disbarred lawyer!
Rip
John 8 ,says he among you without sin cast the first stone.Please at this time show some love.
We All Have Sinned! Remember the woman who was caught in the act of sinning and what JESUS YESHUA said to crowd who were ready to stone her to death! They dropped their stones and walked away!
Let’s remember to Pray for each other!!
@ None;
Instead of condeming him for his past; why not be thankful that we serve a God that is merciful and gracious enough not to continuously condemn us because of our past indiscretion, but rather loves us and forgives us unto salvation for His name sake. Rest well Mr. Chestnut you are honored among men and welcomed among Men of the Kingdom.
May you RIP
Weird comment to make at a time like this. This man did a lot in his community and probably more than this guy talking.
And what have you done miserable one? You certainly are bitter, even in death, you will not rest.
Highly respected leader and businessman in the surrounding counties of Alachua, Bradford. He will be missed!
A Great American Soldier, and Civil Rights Leader has fulfilled his Lifes mission on this Earth. I pray that his Lifes Legacy and example is honored and embraced for years to come.
Sad to hear my heartfelt condolences and prayers goes to the chestnut family in your time of Bereavement I thank him for being a leader in Alachua county and the surrounding areas
R.I.P Mr. Chestnut a Hall of Famer…
RIP
Was always a nice man, and had compassion for those he was in contact with. A Big Loss for Gainesville, Florida and the Chestnut Family, my prayers are with you Chris and your family 🙏.
Hearts 💕
Out for prayer of charles chestnut. 🙏 loss of a companion and a leader. We only live to a difference, I do have a dream,too.
Remembrance of the dream.
Cynthia be stronge. Remembering all these days n nights.
Sorry you have lost 😔 a friend , husband and there’s is a tomorrow.
💐
With Deepest Sympathy to the family, I remember Mr,Chestnut here Gainesville being the Frist black person to register at this motel,which we were not allow to do in the 1960, it’s made the New on the radio here in Gainesville, That motel was TOM SWAYER MOTEL.Thank God for Mr,Chestnut he open doors for us here in Alachua County, Thank God for all he accomplished here in Gainesville, No one will be able to full his shoes,He will be mis dearly to all those he touch in his walk of life
Respectfully Your Naomi Milligan
Prayers 🙏 go out to Mrs. Cynthia and Family God Bless all of you! A Legacy is gone leaving us to stand around Gods Throne!!! Amen!!
Gainesville is one of Florida’s least archiving city for Black people The Chestnut family have been in politics for a very long time, I have been here for over twenty years and always wander are these Mary Boykin Chestnut decendan, if so it make sense .
Condolences to the family and be comforted by your good memories of his life.
I loved his humor. He was always ready for a good laugh.
I am very fortunate to have known him and his wife.
You have My Condolences
Chestnut Funeral Home and it’s family served the Bradford County, community for many years. We were respected and treated with dignity and respect through their family business Chestnut Funeral Home.No one was ever turned down for any reasons related to their financial situation, every family received the upmost care and respect. Because of this many families here in Bradford County are grateful. May the legacy continue as it’s been paid forward.His Dad Mr. Charles Chestnut II, was a close friend of the Royal family here in Starke. Special BLESSINGS upon the entire Chestnut family
Sorrowfully submited on behalf of the residents of Bradford County Florida .BLESSINGS 🙏
My condolences to the family of Mr Charles Chestnut
Rest in peace. Praying for the family. Pam much love. May God bless.
Use the chestnut was a good and kind of man and a nice cousin-in-law God bless him he will truly be missed in love
sending prayers and condolences to the chestnut family may God give y’all healing and strength at this time of need.
Rest is peace Mr.chestnut
He was a good man .a decent human being
I have fond memories of a few encounters with him. Very fair and polite!
My deepest condolences to the family of Charles Chestnut. He was a well respected gentleman in our community. May he rest in peace! 🙏
I appreciate
All the word that he did through out his lifetime For gainsville And thank his family for shearing him with us.
my deepest condolences to the family And I will continue to pray for the family and friends
Thank you for the love, faithfulness and sacrifices you’ve made for our community. Your actions have opened numerous doors of opportunities for our people. I will always love you Mr. C.