Bill Text: VA HJR273 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Hubert Clayton Davis.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-03 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ273ER) [HJR273 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HJR273-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Hubert Clayton Davis, the distinguished former mayor of the Town of Narrows in Giles County, died on January 2, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis was born on January 23, 1930, and was the second of William Toy and Tiny Carlotta Davis's three sons; and
WHEREAS, during his youth, Clayton Davis enjoyed driving on the region's curvy, country roads, riding motorcycles, and playing cards with friends and family; from Rook to Pinochle to Spades to Bridge, card-playing became a lifelong source of enjoyment and passion; and
WHEREAS, after high school, Clayton Davis attended Emory and Henry College and went on to graduate from National Business College in Roanoke; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis captured the heart and hand of his high school sweetheart, Patsy Sue Sutherland, and in 1954, they moved to Pearisburg to raise their family; and
WHEREAS, with no extended family and very little money, Clayton and Patsy Davis pursued their American Dream and opened a small business of their own, The Fashion Shop, which soon became a successful ladies' and children's clothing store; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis lived in Southwest Virginia his entire life, first in the Town of Haysi in Dickenson County, then in the Towns of Pearisburg and Narrows in Giles County; wherever he went, he strove to be a dedicated community leader, while always putting his family first; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis followed several career paths throughout his life; after serving as postmaster of Pearisburg, he joined the New York Life Insurance Company and eventually owned and operated several small businesses, including gas stations from one end of Giles County in Pembroke to the other in Narrows; and
WHEREAS, among his proudest achievements, Clayton Davis was elected and served as the mayor of Narrows for 14 years from 2002 to 2017; and
WHEREAS, during the Obama administration, Clayton Davis secured stimulus money that led to the construction of the Randall W. Fletcher Memorial Bridge, a bridge across the New River that united, both literally and figuratively, the two sides of town and its townspeople; and
WHEREAS, a devout Baptist, Clayton Davis enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a member of First Baptist Church of Narrows, where he served as a deacon; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis touched countless lives in Narrows and throughout Giles County, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence that will be felt for many years to come; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis passed away on his favorite day of the week, Sunday, just three weeks shy of his 92nd birthday, having lived a life committed to servant leadership; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis was predeceased by his parents, William Toy and Tiny Carlotta Davis, his beloved wife, Patsy Sutherland Davis; his first-born son, Roger Clayton Davis; two wonderful grandsons, Jeremy Barna and Travis Davis, and two beloved brothers, William Toy Davis, Jr., and Stacy Edgar Davis; and
WHEREAS, Clayton Davis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Becky Barna Smith, Steve Davis, Beth Ellis, and John Davis, and their families, including 18 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Hubert Clayton Davis, a highly admired public servant and loyal friend to the residents of Giles County; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Hubert Clayton Davis as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his commitment to the Giles County community and the Commonwealth.
