House Resolution 5

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY, SERVICE AND DEDICATION OF LONGTIME EDUCATOR, MR. CLAIBORNE C. DAVIS, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, longtime educator and Leflore County School board member, Claiborne C. Davis, Sr., born on September 26, 1928, to the union of the late Mr. Will Davis and Wardie Claiborne Davis, departed this earthly life on Saturday, January 1, 2011, at the age of 82, to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, educated in the Greenwood Public Schools and a graduate of Stone Street High School, Mr. Davis furthered his educational pursuits by attending and graduating from Mississippi Vocational College (now Mississippi Valley State University) with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, and subsequently earned a master's degree in supervision and administration from Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), where he served as president of his graduating class, and undertook further studies at the University of South Florida and the University of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, with more than five decades of experience as a career educator, Mr. Davis served as assistant principal at Wilkes Elementary School, and as a principal at Amanda Elzy Elementary School and Stone Street Elementary School before his calling and service as an educator was requested in an administrative capacity at his collegiate alma mater, Mississippi Valley State University, where he fulfilled various director's roles until his retirement in 1992, including having served as director of the L.S. Rogers Laboratory School, Cooperative Education and Financial Aid; and

WHEREAS, a staunch advocate for education, he lent his expertise to those with whom he served as a member or officer on the several organizations with which he was associated, including: the Leflore County School Board; Board of Directors for the Mississippi School Board Association; state representative for Elementary School Principals; Vice President of the Greenwood Civic League; President and Executive Secretary of the Mississippi Valley State University National Alumni Association; and public address announcer for the Mississippi Valley State University football games for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, it was purposed by God that Mr. Davis would know the touch of true love twice over, upon having first united in marriage to Mildred Phinisee Davis, who preceded him in life's transition to eternity as ordained by God, and he was blessed with a second wife, Clementine A. Davis, who fulfilled her commitment of love throughout his life's durational purpose and design; and

WHEREAS, though he traversed the river of life to now stand on golden heavenly shores in a family reunion for the ages with those who answered the master's call to life eternal before him, the legacy of his memory will continue to be cherished in the fond memories shared of him by his loving survivors, including: his wife, Clementine A. Davis; four children, Anita L. Boykins, Laurita A. McDaniel, Claiborne C. Davis, Jr., and Will B. Davis; stepson, Curtis M. Wooten; sister, Mary Jean Davis Bates; 15 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such an outgoing and selfless individual as Mr. Davis, whose life was marked by his zealous advocacy for education and the promotion of mankind:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy, service and dedication of longtime educator, Mr. Claiborne C. Davis, Sr., and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Claiborne C. Davis, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.