A special nameplate and commemorative bench will be unveiled in honor of Lynette Coles Jeffries and John “Blackfeather” Jeffries on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at River Park in Hillsborough. This dedication, located across from the Occaneechi Replica Village, will celebrate the lives and legacy of two individuals whose impact on the community continues to be deeply felt. A ceremony, featuring members of the Jeffries family, the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation (OBSN), and the Orange County community, will commence at 2 p.m.
Lynette and John Jeffries were beloved figures within Hillsborough and across Orange County. Their contributions and the lives they touched are a testament to their devotion to their community and heritage. Although they are no longer with us physically, their spirits continue to inspire those who knew them.
For 32 years, Lynette was employed with the Orange County School System, retiring in June 1996. She was a strong advocate of the Occaneechi Band of The Saponi Nation and most respected by all. She was a beautiful dancer and an honored Elder at many Powwows in Delaware, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, with her husband John and grandson, Uriah “Little Bear” Jeffries.
Lynette was also involved with many organizations, including the AKA Sorority of North Carolina and South Carolina, Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM), and Orange County Rescue Ladies Auxiliary. She received recognition for service from the Orange County Chapter of the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni Association and Friends and received the 1990 Governor’s Volunteer Award. Furthermore, Lynette was a founding member of the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough.
John Jeffries’ contributions to preserving and celebrating Occaneechi heritage are particularly remembered through the Occaneechi Replica Village in River Park, a landmark he helped establish in the late 1990s. Working in collaboration with UNC’s Research Laboratories of Archaeology, Jeffries led the construction of the village, transforming it into a cultural site for education and community engagement. The village has hosted numerous demonstrations, living history events, and educational programs where Jeffries and other tribal members shared traditional practices like outdoor cooking, storytelling, tribal dance, and hunting techniques, fostering a greater understanding of Occaneechi heritage.
In recent years, John Jeffries played a crucial role in a volunteer project to rebuild the village from 2017 to 2022. This effort, in partnership with Orange County and the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, has ensured that the village will continue to serve as a bridge between the past and present for future generations.
This dedication event, free and open to the public, is hosted by Orange County, Spirit Freedom, and the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation. Community members and friends are invited to attend this tribute, celebrating the Jeffries’ legacy of heritage, education, and community service.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: River Park at 140 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC. The Occaneechi Replica Village is behind the David E. Price Farmer's Market Pavilion.
About the Occaneechi Replica Village:
The Occaneechi Replica Village in River Park is a historic site established to honor and preserve the cultural heritage of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation. It serves as an educational resource, offering hands-on learning experiences about tribal life and customs, and continues to be a vibrant symbol of the Occaneechi community in Hillsborough.