La-Cemeteries©
Copyright © 2007.
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   James Houston Davis
48th & 52nd
Governor of Louisiana
Preceded by Sam Houston Jones
Governor by Election
Served from May 9, 1944
Served to May 11, 1948
Left Office by Term Ended
Succeeded by Earl K. Long
 
Preceded by Earl K. Long
Governor by Election
Served from May 10, 1960
Served to May 12, 1964
Left Office by Term Ended
Succeeded by John J. McKeithen
 
Born September 11, 1899
near Beech Springs, La.
Died November 5, 2000
Baton Rouge
Cause  
Age 101
 
Party Democratic
Education Louisiana College
Education Louisiana State University
Profession Singer / Musician / Politician
 
Spouse Alverne Adams
Children 1 son
 
Spouse Anna Gordon
Chattanooga, 1968
Children 0
 
Religion Baptist
Burial Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Cemetery

1944-1948
1960-1964

James Houston Davis was the 48th (1944-1948) and 52nd (1960-1964) Governor of Louisiana.  Born in 1899, he died in 2000 at his home in Baton Rouge at the age of 101. 

Governor Davis is interred at the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Cemetery outside of Jonesboro.

He was elected public service commissioner in 1942 before running for governor.  In his first term he had passed the law requiring that motor vehicle drivers be licensed by the state.  He obtained the first license.

In his second term hospitals and roads were built and the first civil service system for state employees was begun.

He was governor at a time when integration was resisted in Louisiana.  He attempted to prevent the effort but managed only to delay the inevitable.

During his second term as governor the legislature approved building the governors mansion with 12 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms.

 

Gov. Jimmie Davis

SON OF JONES AND ELIZABETH DAVIS.
1899      -      2000
You Are My Sun-Shine
1930
Governor                                                     Governor
1944-1948                                                   1960-1964

"...Tho I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow
of Death, I Will Fear No Evil, For Thou Art With Me"
I'll See You on the Other Side

 


 On the back of the governor's tombstone:

SHREVEPORT CITY COUNCIL
1938 - 1942
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER
1942 - 1944
SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
1971
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME
1972

Friends of Jimmie Davis built this church in 1965 to honor him.
The cemetery is located behind the church.


 Dedication sun dial in the front of the church.

Dedicated to
the people of
this community
and all the
people of the
state of LA. and
those who made
this possible.
Sincerely,

 Jimmie Davis
1965


 Top of sun dial.  The gnomon is missing.

 


 A plaque on the front of the church.

GOVERNOR JIMMIE DAVIS
September 11, 1899
November 5, 2000

Jimmie Davis was born in Jackson Parish in 1899
He served two terms as Governor of LA
1944 - 48 and 1960 - 64
He was inducted into the Song Writers Hall of
Fame in 1971, the Country Music Hall of Fame
in 1972 and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1994
The Jimmie Davis Tabernacle was built by friends in 1965 to honor him
In 1990, Jimmie Davis donated the Tabernacle to
Jackson Parish under the management of the
Chamber's Tabernacle board
An annual homecoming is held the 1st Sunday in October


 A plaque on the front of the church.

JIMMIE DAVIS TABERNACLE

Built in 1964 by friends of Governor Jimmie Davis.
These friends are of many faiths, people who believe
in the church and who are dedicated to the promotion
of Christian living and to the songs of Christian
inspiration.

It was here on these grounds that Governor Davis
graduated from the Beech Springs High School and his
father and mother once lived a few feet back of this building.

The construction of this tabernacle was first suggested
by W. L. "Buddie" Billups.

Architects:                                          Contractor
Wilson and Coleman                              W. C. & W. L. Salley

Hardsurfacing of parking area               Landscaping
J. A. Harper-Ted F. Dunham                    James P. Cross
Terral Construction Co., Inc.               C. J. Blalock

 

 

Governor James Houston Davis' wife and family are on the following page.

.

 

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La-Cemeteries©
Copyright © 2007.
All Rights Reserved.