The city of Ocala and Marion County were fortunate to have Whitfield Jenkins, a man of great personal and physical stature, as one of its longtime, and most dedicated, civic activists. Anytime he entered a room, there was sure to be acknowledgement that a very special person was present.
Jenkins, who was born Sept. born Sept.19, 1940, in Zuber in northwest Marion County, passed away in Ocala on July 28, at the age of 85.
Jenkins served three terms as president of the Marion County Branch of the NAACP, from 1984 to ’89, ‘91 to ‘92 and ‘97 to ‘98. He was a member of the NAACP State Conference from 1996 to 2003. In 2023, the local NAACP branch honored him as the “Freedom Fighter of the Century,” hailing him as a champion of civil rights and inclusion.
“Whitfield was one of the strongest and most committed civil rights leaders in Florida. His work in Ocala and Marion County cannot be overstated. He was a true voice for his community. As an NAACP president and leader at the state level, he positively impacted the lives of all Floridians. May he rest in power,” said Leon W. Russell, chairman, NAACP national board of directors, on July 29…