David Edward Davis

Mr. Davis spent his professional career teaching music and serving as the Band and Choral Director for Kennedy Road Middle School in Griffin, GA; Macon County High School in Montezuma, GA; Callaway High School in Hogansville, GA; West Point Elementary School in West Point, GA; Harris County-Carver Middle School and Harris County High School in Hamilton, GA; and Gilmer County High School in Ellijay, GA. He served as Organist in the early 80's for the First United Methodist Church in Oxford, Alabama. He later performed in area bands and orchestras in Portland, Oregon from 1999 to 2000; and the LaGrange Symphony in LaGrange, GA from 2000 to 2004.

Mr. Davis was a 1977 graduate of Saks High School, and received his Bachelor of Science in Education, Music and Drama from Jacksonville State University in 1982. While at Jacksonville State University he performed with the JSU “Marching Southerners” at that time under the direction of Mr. David Walters. He received his Master in Education in Piano Pedagogy in 1985 from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA where he also studied Organ under the direction of Joseph Golden, director of opera, professor of organ and coordinator of music history and literature.

He was twice named Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 1996 and in 2004.

Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents James and Marvalene Davis of Anniston and an older brother James Donald Davis of Anniston.

He is survived by a brother, Rev. Patrick E. Davis (Dawn) of Morgan Hill, CA, and two sisters, Darlene L. Davis of Anniston, AL and Melanie C. Grizzard (Billy) of Oxford, AL, including two nieces Amanda Troup (Jarrod) of Oxford, AL and Kelly Richardson (Andrew) of Attallah, AL, and one nephew Christopher Gaskin (Lean) of Lincoln, AL; and two great nieces and two great nephews, Olivia and Jacob Troup and Casen and Emilia Gaskin.

Mr. Davis was an inspiration to his students, family, and friends encouraging them to live life fully and successfully following the words of a poem on success who‘s authorship remains undetermined, but its’ truth speaks an eternal wisdom:

“To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch,

or a redeemed social condition;

to know that one life has breathed easier

because you lived here.

This is to have succeeded.”

A private family celebration of life and remembrance will be held on Sunday, November 26th at the home and farm of Billy and Melanie Grizzard in Oxford, AL.