Although our Black History 2022 Series officially ended on Tuesday, we would be absolutely remiss if we did not acknowledge Maceo McEachern as a true pillar of Black History in Richmond County.
The first black elected to the Richmond County Board of Education and also to the Richmond County Board of Commission, McEachern paved the way for others to feel, not only encouraged to follow suit in community involvement and public service, but also empowered.
History was made in 1972, when McEachern was elected as a board member of the Richmond County Board of Education. He held this seat until 1978 when he, again, made history by becoming a county commissioner for Richmond County. He served until 1984.
Additionally, he was a licensed funeral home director and mortician at McEachern Funeral Home in Rockingham, presently Nelson Funeral Home.
Thank you, Maceo, for blazing the trail for for black leadership in Richmond County!
Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority.
(Editor’s Note: Visit Richmond County is highlighting prominent local African Americans each day in February in honor of Black History Month. Previous individuals featured include late Richmond County sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr., late state representative Harrison Ingram Quick, dancer and makeup artist Ciarra Kelley, Ellerbe Mayor Brenda Capel, two-time Super Bowl champion Perry Williams, Bishop Arlester Simpson of Ellerbe, Richmond County School Board member Ronald Tillman, and educator Melvin Ingram. See the Visit Richmond County Facebook page for more on these outstanding individuals.)
