FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Southwest Florida is mourning the loss of a Fort Myers pioneer. Civil rights activist and former city councilwoman Veronica Shoemaker has passed away.
Shoemaker was the first black to serve on council, and was also president of the local NAACP chapter. She ended segregation in the Lee County Schools.
Four in Your Corner reached out to Wilbur Smith to get his reaction on the death of his longtime friend. "Veronica Shoemaker was a giant in the history of the City of Fort Myers and Lee County. She had more impact on our county than any person who ever lived."
Veronica Shoemaker was 86 years old.
