Jeanne Davis

Mrs. Jeanne Saunders Davis died peacefully at her home on April 25, 2013. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church on Sunday, April 28, 2013, at 5 pm with visitation to follow immediately in the Fellowship Hall. A private interment for the family will be held. All former choir members – whether church or community choir; children, youth, adult, or senior adult choir – are invited to sing in the choir at the service. Rehearsal will be held at the First Baptist Church choir room at 4:00pm before the service. Jeanne was born on May 16, 1934 to Myrtle Griffin and Miles Theodore Saunders in Gastonia. She moved with her family to Bessemer City at age 4 where she had a happy, active childhood. Jeanne attended Furman University in Greenville, S.C., graduating in 1956 with a BA in Church Music. While at Furman, she was selected to Senior Order, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Furman Singers, and was awarded the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award for Outstanding Female Student. Her love for Furman brought her back often as she served on the Alumni Board and Advisory Council. For her dedication and service to Furman, she was awarded the Alumni Service Award in 1999 and the Bell Tower Award in 2010. After graduation, she served as Minister of Music and Education at First Baptist Church in Southern Pines and then at First Baptist Church in Forest City, until coming to First Baptist Church Lexington in 1962 as Minister of Music and Youth Director. She has remained an active church member in some way ever since, singing in the choir, playing the piano, serving as Deacon, and directing children’s, youth, adult, and senior adult choirs. In 1964, she married Lonnie Davis. They were married for 42 years until his death in 2006. In addition to her church activities, Jeanne was active in many civic organizations, including the Lexington Music Study Club, Charity League, Community Concerts, Lexington Hospital Auxiliary, and Actors Charity Theatre. Jeanne directed the Community Candlelight Service at Christmas for 15 years. For her contributions to civic life in Lexington, she was awarded the Athena Award in 2005 by the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. She taught piano and voice in her home for over 35 years. Jeanne is preceded in death by her beloved husband Lonnie Davis; her parents; two brothers, Roger and Joe Saunders; her sister, “Jimmie” Kirby; and her step-daughter Jenny Ann Carson. She is survived by son, Dan and wife Emma Davis; granddaughters, Abby and Molly, of Cary; daughter Saundra and husband Van Westervelt; grandson, Drew, of Greensboro; step-children Lonnie Davis, Jr. and Mike Davis and wife Sonja all of Lexington and Mary Hedrick and husband George of Winston-Salem and their families; and many, many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Saunders-Davis Scholarship, Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy, Greenville, SC 29613; or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 436, Lexington, NC 27293 Davidson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements