Gene Davis, 77, of Fitzgerald died Tuesday, February 20 at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Thursday, February 22 at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald with Rev. Barry Gordon officiating. Mayor Gerald Thompson will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The Honor Guard of the Fitzgerald Police Department will serve as escort. Members of the Police Department, Fire Department, and City Council will serve as honorary escort. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Davis was born September 8, 1929, in Jeff Davis County, to the late Thomas William and Myrtle Lee Morris Davis. He lived in the community all of his life and was raised by his father and stepmother, Mary K. Davis. Mr. Davis began his career with the City of Fitzgerald as a firefighter with the Fitzgerald Fire Department. He worked for over 19 years attaining the rank of truck operator, and volunteered for four more years following his full-time service. He served as an Alderman-at-large for six years and later represented the citizens of the First Ward for thirteen years. Mr. Davis was an entrepreneur in this city having owned and operated Gene’s Furniture Company and the Sultana Market. His last years of service to the City were as a Transport Officer with the Fitzgerald Police Department, a position he has held since June of 1996. Mr. Davis was a member of Crossview Baptist Church, Pine Level Lodge #353 F&A.M. and the Hasan Shrine Temple in Albany. His life was dedicated to service and the impact he made on the City will be long felt by those who he served.
Mr. Davis is survived by: his wife of 49 years, Olean Davis of Fitzgerald; three sons: Ronnie Eugene Davis of Rochester, NY, Jerry Wayne Davis of Fairport, NY and Thomas William “Tommy” Davis, Sr., of Fitzgerald; two daughters: Sandra Davis Massey and Ann Davis Haley, both of Fitzgerald; 6 grandchildren; one sister: Betty Jo Wood of Martinsburg, WV as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers and 1 sister.