C. L. McEachern

04 Jan C. L. McEachern

October 23, 1907

C.L. McEachern

Clifford Lamar McEachern was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 23, 1907 to parents J. B. and Artimitia Ann Cox McEachern. Shortly after his birth, his parents with the new addition moved back to the North Fayette Community of Kenwood. Both were natives of the Kenwood-Friendship area. J. B. McEachern operated three successive stores there and a farming operation.

“Geechie” as he was named by his favorite educator, Mr. A. M. Bowen, was educated at the Kenwood school. After taking a year off to work in the orange groves of south Florida, he graduated in 1927 with his future wife, Martha Kelley.

His father moved his store to Fayetteville in the late 1920s (J. B. McEachern General merchandise). Geechie worked for his dad and for Jim Kitchens, who had a Plymouth dealership. Geechie would go to Detroit to pick up cars.

Geechie married Martha Kelley on June 27, 1937. They had two sons, Lamar Patterson McEachern and Marion Kelley McEachern. Returning to Fayette County in 1948 from College Park, he operated a service station on the square. In 1950 he purchased property at the intersection of what is now Jeff Davis Drive N. and Glynn Street N. and built a small service station. In 1957-58 he built a larger station.

In 1962, the Board of Education became elected instead of appointed. Geechie was elected to the school board and served 1 ½ years as chairman.

He died February 22, 1974 and is buried at Camp Memorial Cemetery.

By Lamar McEachern

Sources: Fayette County Georgia Heritage Book, personal knowledge.