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Educator and activist Davis passes at 62
Most people didn't know she had her doctorate in gifted education. This was a goal she set for herself to achieve when she reached 60 and she accomplished it. She graduated from the University of South Alabama. When a friend wanted to write an article for the Thomasville Times about her accomplishment, she told her, "If you do, you will not be my friend." According to Kathryn Tucker Windham, one of her closest friends from the days in the late '60s and '70s when they were both employed in the aging program by the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, "Ann would always joke when she received some honor, she would say 'they just don't know me,'" she said. While Davis was loath to accept accolades for herself, she was quick to point out any injustices she encountered in society. She was a prime mover behind the boycott of the schools by the black students in 1971. She observed that black males were being punished more severely than white males for the same offenses, and set out to do something about it. Kathryn Tucker Windham would hug her tight and call her "outside agitator". This was a term frequently hurled at civil rights activists during that era. They both would laugh and hug again. But Thomasville was always in her heart whatever she was doing. Davis was involved in organizing the first community education program, the first nutrition program for the elderly in Thomasville, the first program for gifted children in the city school system, the Draviteen Program - which was an outgrowth of the Dravitan Civic Club (a civic club for black women she started with Jimmie Rose Bryant), the first class of Displaced Homemakers at Alabama Southern College, the Eagle Program for successful graduates of Thomasville High School to mentor students through a yearlong letter writing program and a program for successful women to mentor young women in an abstinence program. Davis was passionate about education for herself, her family and her community. She spent a year in Benin, Africa in the mid 1990s as part of a teacher exchange program. When her niece, Debra West Dennis, who is now principal of Clarke County High School, was in high school, she got pregnant. Davis took the baby girl and raised her so that Dennis could go to college. Davis completed her own teacher education as a single mother by commuting to Livingston (while holding down a job), often with children in tow. Ann allowed her children to set their own goals and supported them . She said one of her proudest moments was when Cookie got his degree. He was a well known football player at the University of Alabama, which in some parent's mind would be a crowning achievement. Her daughter-in-law, Nereida says "I wish my own mom could have been more like her". Ann's extended family includes between 40-50 young black men who were friends of her sons. All of these young men called her "Momma". To honor Davis, friends and family are starting a fund to give scholarships to deserving students in the PEGASUS program that she started. A piece of artwork by internationally famous folk artist, Charlie Lucas, will be placed in the Thomasville City Schools in her memory. Anyone wishing to contribute can donate to the fund being managed by Linda McGhee, Business Manager and Custodian of Funds for Thomasville City Schools. The funds can be sent to the Central Office of the school system in care of Ms. McGhee.
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