While preparing the podcast for release, I realized that I missed discussing the current efforts Sheldon Chappell, his family, and the Black community of Jacksonville are doing to remember Johnnie Mae Chappell and the work being done to prevent something like Johnnie Mae’s murder from happening again. I wanted to briefly touch on these projects and legal work because while there might be a very slim chance that the remaining suspects will be able to go to court, it doesn’t mean that the work for justice ends with that.

Honoring Her Memory

The Chappell family works to ensure that Johnnie Mae Chappell would not fade into obscurity. Part of this work was making sure people knew who she was and how her life was taken away from her husband and children due to racism.

In 2005, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to dedicate part of New Kings Road as “Johnnie Mae Chappell Parkway.” The sign was placed on the spot where Johnnie Mae was killed. While many could see the sign and see her name, there was no information about her or her murder on it.

The Chappell family wanted to do something more for their mother. They worked for years to have a city memorial dedicated to Johnnie Mae. On February 21, 2025, a ceremony for the unveiling of a memorial marker took place at the Lincoln Villa Senior Center in Jacksonville. The marker details what happened to Johnnie Mae on March 23, 1964, the outcome of the court proceedings, and who Johnnie Mae was as a person.

Making Changes

The Chappell family is also working to toughen Florida laws against hate crimes. Last year, in 2024, a proposed anti-hate law was set to be named after Johnnie Mae was introduced to Jacksonville City Council. The bill stemmed from a Dollar General shooting that occurred in the city in 2023, resulting in the deaths of three Black people. However, there was debate over the bill that called for strengthening the penalties of hate crimes in Jacksonville because some council members were concerned that the bill could violate First Amendment rights. The concern was great enough that the bill was rejected.

Despite the Johnnie Mae Chappell bill not getting passed, I am sure that Sheldon and the rest of the Chappell family will continue to push forward with the work they are doing. The Chappell family is using their pain and tears as fuel for change in Jacksonville so that what happened to Johnnie Mae and their family after her murder will never repeat itself. And, with that, I wish them the best in their endeavors.