Residents remember former councilwoman Almeta Crayton

Members of Columbia are remembering a respected former city councilwoman.

Family, friends and community members honored Almeta Crayton at Douglas Park Saturday. Crayton represented the city’s first ward for almost a decade.

Karen Miller, the Boone County Commissioner, said Crayton gave a voice to those in the community who felt they had none.

Karen Miller, Boone Co. Commissioner: “It’s got to be our goal to remember what she meant to the community because, because of her we might not have the kind of problems we have on the east side of the state because we can come together and talk. We can come together and find solutions. And it was Almeta that helped us to understand that.”

Crayton also started the “Everybody Eats” annual Thanksgiving meal, which provides food to low-income families.

Miller said Crayton reminded city leaders to be fair across the whole city.

“She just kept reminding her council members, the mayor and the city manager that there was a part of Columbia that wasn’t receiving the same kind of funding that other areas of the community was.”

The food bank accepted donations in Crayton’s honor at the event.

This year’s “Everybody Eats” Thanksgiving meal will be on Thursday, November 27th from 11:00 to noon at Stephens College.