Ed Reynolds Davies

Ed Reynolds Davies age 90 passed away Monday November 22, 2021, from natural causes after a lengthy illness and progressive decline. He was born at Saint Thomas Hospital on November 20, 1931 and was a first-generation native Nashvillian. He died at his home on November 22, 2021 – 2 days after celebrating his 90th birthday with his family.

Ed attended Parmer School, Montgomery Bell Academy, and graduated high school from The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN in 1949. Thereafter he received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1953 where he was in the NROTC program and President of Sigma Chi Fraternity during his senior year. He later earned his law degree (LLB) from Vanderbilt in 1958 and served on the Vanderbilt Law Review from 1956-1958.

Between college and law school, Ed was on active duty in the United States Marine Corps as a Platoon Leader, Anti-Tank Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. He was stationed in Paju-Ri, Korea from 1954-1955. Ed continued to serve his country for another 24 years in the Active Reserve, Infantry from 1955 to 1979 when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. If you knew Ed, you knew that he was extremely proud of his service as a Marine, and some of his close friends might have even referred to him as “the Colonel” from time to time.

Ed spent his professional career as a trial lawyer in Davidson County and he was an excellent one at that. He was a 3rd generation lawyer - his grandfather, father, and brother were lawyers and judges. Ed began his career at Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis (1958-1963) before moving to Boult, Cummings, Conners & Berry (1963-1973) and starting his own law firm in 1973 (later known as Davies, Humphreys & Reese) where he practiced law from 1973 until his retirement in 2019 and where he enjoyed practicing with two of his sons. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States and appeared before the Court in 1968 to argue the case of Anderson v. Johnson (in which he ultimately prevailed). He was also admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (1961), the Supreme Court of Tennessee (1958) and most of the lower state and federal courts in Tennessee. On May 29, 1974, Ed was appointed by Governor Winfield Dunn to fill the unexpired term of Chancellor Frank F. Drowota, III as Chancellor of Part II of the Chancery Court for Davidson County. He served as Chancellor of Part II until his term of office expired on September 1, 1974. He was a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Nashville Bar Association and Ed also served two terms on the Board of Directors for the NBA (1971-1973; 1977-1979). Ed was elected by his peers to membership as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1985 and he remained active in that organization until his retirement in 2019.

Ed had fond memories of his high-school years as a student at Webb and gave back to his alma mater by donating countless hours of his time as a member of the school’s Board of Trustees from 1997 to present. He was Chairman of Webb’s Board of Trustees from 2002-2006 (Chairman Emeritus in his later years) and received The Webb School Distinguished Alumni Award for 2014. Ed also gave back to his community by his membership in numerous organizations and by serving on numerous boards including the Board of Directors of the Nashville YMCA (Downtown Branch), the Administrative Board of West End UMC (2 three-year terms), the Board of Trustees of West End UMC (2 three-year terms), the Board of Directors for the Sequoia Club (2 three-year terms), the Marine Corps League, and the WWII History Club.

Ed is preceded in death by his grandfather Judge J.E. Reynolds of Arcadia, LA, his father U.S. District Judge Elmer David Davies, his mother Luda Reynolds Davies, and his brother Williamson County Circuit Judge Elmer D. Davies, Jr. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Elizabeth (Betty) Burns Davies (formerly of Copperhill, TN); his sister-in-law Cecelia Travis (Mike); his three “boys” – all of whom followed in Ed’s footsteps by becoming 4th generation lawyers - Ed Reynolds Davies, Jr. (Dena), Robert Rankin Davies (Lisa), and Wade Vance Davies (Bethany Hallam); 7 grandchildren – Emelyn Davies Meador (Blake), David Davies, Barton Davies (Tess), Will Davies (Adrian), Harrison Davies, Evan Davies, and Eli Davies; 2 great-grandchildren: Max Meador and Elizabeth (Ellie) Meador; and numerous nieces and nephews some of whom are also lawyers and judges.

Ed’s family would like to extend a special thanks to caregivers Lisa Rudie, Teisha Higgins, and Floyd Stewart for the compassionate care they provided to Ed during his last year of life.

Please join us in celebrating Ed’s life at West End United Methodist Church on Friday December 17, 2021 with visitation from 2 to 3PM followed by a memorial service at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Webb School 319 Webb Road East, Bell Buckle, TN 37020; to West End UMC, 2200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203; or to the charity of your choice.