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Chamber spotlights contributions to community
Bubba O’Keefe named Citizen of the Year
By DARYL BELL
Managing Editor
O’Keefe is best known for his founding of the Juke Joint Festival which has been successful in bringing many visitors to Clarksdale and the Delta.
Thursday night, O’Keefe was rewarded for his efforts as the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Foundation, named him Citizen of the Year.
“What an exciting evening for Clarksdale and for my close friend, Bubba O'Keefe,” said Covenant Bank CEO Willis Frazer, a long time close friend of O'Keefe's. “Bubba has poured his heart and soul into this community - morning, noon, and night - and I can't think of any recipient more deserving of this award than Bubba, a true ambassador from the bottom of his heart for Clarksdale and Coahoma County, always looking out for what's best for this community while putting others first."
A native of Clarksdale and the son of a former mayor of Clarksdale, O’Keefe graduated from Lee Academy and the University of Mississippi.
After living in Jackson for several years, Bubba and his wife, the former Melissa Strider of Tallahatchie County, moved to Clarksdale. It’s where he wanted to raise his children and to make a difference.
The father of four daughters certainly has done that.
A dedicated member of First United Methodist Church where he has served in several capacities, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees, O’Keefe has founded a prayer group with local businessmen. The group meets every Monday morning to pray for the community.
He has also been called upon to be a motivational speaker to youngsters, talking about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
O’Keefe’s latest project is revitalizing downtown Clarksdale. He’s a member of the newly-created Clarksdale Revitalization Committee and he is in the process of remodeling a building on the corner of Yazoo Avenue and East Second Street. When completed, the structure will feature businesses on the first floor and condos on the second floor. The condos have already been purchased by buyers outside of Clarksdale.
O’Keefe recently purchased the Clarksdale Press Register building, which was formerly the Bank of Clarksdale, for developmental purposes.
Many may recall that O’Keefe developed the Hillcrest subdivision, an attractive condo development off Lee Drive.
As if he wasn’t busy enough, O’Keefe has even dabbled in publishing. He published “Here’s Clarksdale,” a publication promoting the city and its citizens.
Always quick to greet everyone with a smile and a firm handshake, the Clarksdale/Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Foundation felt that O’Keefe’s contributions were more than worthy for the Citizen of the Year Award.
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Clean up wrote on Nov 4, 2009 7:20 AM: