The Lord called our beloved “Papa” home on Monday, January 7, 2008. Papa entered this world on September 10, 1916 weighing less than two pounds. His Mom always said she could put her wedding ring over his hand, he was so small. The only form of heat in the house was the fireplace, and his Mom said she put him in a shoe box by the fire to keep him warm. A child of the depression, he never forgot his humble roots, and earned everything he obtained in life. Born in Simpson, LA (Vernon Parish), Papa was the oldest of 5 children. Papa had a predisposition for kindness and caring at an early age. When Papa’s younger sister Mary Wyatt was born with spina bifida, Papa became a wonderful caregiver, and opened up whole new worlds to her. He would often carry her around the farm and allow her to share in the delights of a normal childhood.

 

Papa was the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college, which was met with awe by many of his family members. With a country in a state of economic scarcity and depression, he found the courage and strength to strike out on his own to make something of himself. Years later at family reunions, his younger cousins would all credit him with their college degrees by giving them the inspiration and motivation to be like “cousin Norman.” Working his way through college at Louisiana State University (LSU) in five years, Papa cut an impressive career. He was elected President of his senior class in the College of Agriculture at LSU and was affectionately nicknamed “Shorty.” He excelled in the classroom, and even found money to send home to support his parents. In 1941 he earned a B.S. in Vocational Education from the School of Agriculture at LSU. For those of you who knew Mr. Davis, you would know that he was an avid LSU Tiger (as most LSU alumni are), and remained so throughout his years with us. Three of his grandchildren even attended LSU.

 

 

Like so many of the greatest generation, Papa volunteered in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant within three weeks of his graduation from LSU. In short order, he was ordered to report to Ft. Sill, OK. It was here where he would meet his wife, Miss Grace “Gracie” Babcock Miller. After a brief six week courtship and marriage on December 23, 1941, a 65 year marriage ensued culminating in 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren…and counting.

 

Papa served with distinction for 23 months in several pivotal Allied campaigns in Algiers-French Morocco (8 November 1942-11 November 1942), Tunisia (November 1942–May 1943), Rome-Arno (22 January-9 September 1944), Naples Foggia (9 September 1943-21 January 1944), Anzio Beachhead (1944) in Italy.  He battled the Nazis on two continents and was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Gold Star for gallantry in action by the French Army, one of the highest military awards given by the French. He was also awarded the Silver Star and Oak Leaf Clusters for bravery in action in the Ousseltia Valley, Tunisia when he “conducted the fire of his battalion in a superior manner...to such an extent that is believed that much of the withdrawal of the enemy forces was due to his ability to place fire on essential enemy installments.” Like many of this greatest generation, he rarely discussed and when he did, always minimized his role.

 

He returned stateside in 1944 and reunited with Gracie. Shortly thereafter, Norman and Grace moved to Fort Knox where Norm, Jr was born. In 1947 their oldest daughter Pammie was born in West Monroe, La. Just weeks later, Gracie, Norman and Normie and Pammie moved to Mobile where they briefly resided in the Battle House. Two years later Susie Davis, now Hargrove, was born. The family was now complete. To say that Norman and Gracie gave their children and grandchildren the most wonderful family in the world would be an understatement. They loved them more than life its self. (And to mention Norman without Gracie would be truly telling only half the story.) He was the cook and care giver when not on the road working and showed his love by cooking, and cooking, and cooking…

 

In the civilian sector, Norman served with equal distinction. He served as Director of the Mobile County Civil Defense for more than a decade and oversaw its transformation into the Emergency Management Agency. He saved countless lives during Hurricane Frederic by his attention to detail and countless hours of preparation. He later served as a member of the Mobile County Commissions District Board of Commissioners and worked tirelessly over four years in developing the enhanced 911 emergency system for the county. On July 14, 1989 the Mobile County Commission granted him a Certificate of Award recognizing him for “Outstanding Service to Mobile Co. Communications District Commission.”

 

Norman would eventually retire and spend the rest of his life devoted to his wife, Gracie, and the family. His children and grandchildren (and his Tigers) were always first and foremost on his mind, and he always told us how blessed we are. All of our friends and grandchildren’s friends knew our Nanya and Papa and loved them dearly. Anything we loved, they loved, and they showed it in every possible way. Everyone should have such wonderful parents!

 

Of all these worldly marks of distinction Norman accomplished, they pale in comparison to his most enduring legacy- the love he taught for family and all things family.

 

Norman Davis is survived by his three children Norman Henry Davis, Jr (Dawn); Pamela Davis Green (Joseph); Susan Davis Hargrove (Buddy), and his faithful and loving Hester James.

 

He is also survived by his 7 grandchildren- Ashley Kalhagen (Ben); the Hon. Matt Green; Amy Davis Adams (Forrest); Adam Hargrove (Jennifer); Amanda Davis Eckerman (Nevin); Whitney Green; Mary Beyer Lell (Paul).

 

He is survived by 9 great grandchildren as well- Miller Kalhagen, Blakely Eckerman, Davis Hargrove, Mary Wyatt Hargrove, Trace Eckerman, Gracie Hargrove, Anna Frances Adams, Mary Hadley Adams, and Elizabeth Davis Lell.

 

Papa is preceded in death by his beloved wife Gracie Davis, his mother Lula Gertrude “Gertie” Jeane Davis, his father Leslie “Les” Davis, his three sisters Leslie, Ruth, Mary Wyatt, and his brother Jack. He is also predeceased by his faithful dachshunds Beethoven, Luther, and Willie.

 

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, January 11, 2008 at Springhill Presbyterian Church with the memorial service to follow at 11:00AM in the sanctuary. All family and friends are welcome. In lieu of gifts, the family would request donations be made to the E.A. Roberts Alzheimer’s Center, 169 Mobile Infirmary Boulevard, Mobile, AL 36607. The family would like to recognize and thank the wonderful staff at EA Roberts including Laura Harrington (manager), Lu Broadnax, Betty Jackson, Judy Nichols, Pat Reed, Linda Smith, and Dana Godwin. We love you all. We would also like to thank those wonderful caregivers who made Papa’s final days here with us so wonderful-Robert Bell, Nita West, Carol Briggs, and Sandy Dahmer.