John Andrew Bowersett DAVIES

DAVIES, John Andrew Bowersett "Pete," 91, of Culpeper, Va., died Wednesday, November 4, 2009 after a brief illness. He was born to the late John Jenkyn Davies and Mary Elizabeth Bowersett Davies of Culpeper, October 18, 1918. On August 3, 1946, he married Mary Lillian "Spilly" Purdum of Danville, Virginia, who retired after 31 years as a high school mathematics teacher. Mrs. Davies died in 2003. Mr. Davies served for 32 years as Commissioner of the Revenue of Culpeper County and served several years prior as a Deputy Commissioner of the Revenue. Both his mother and his maternal grandfather, John Andrew Bowersett, served in the same capacity as commissioners for a combined 74 years of family service to the citizens of Culpeper County. Mr. Davies graduated from Christ Church School, Christ Church, Va. in 1937, where he was awarded the prestigious Bishop's Award and was class valedictorian. He attended the University of Virginia and T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. Mr. Davies was a veteran of World War II, having served as a sergeant in General George Patton's Third Army (European Theater), 776th Ordinance of the 76th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged upon the War's conclusion in 1945. Mr. Davies was past president of the Culpeper Jaycees and was awarded the organization's first Distinguished Service Award in 1947; was a member of the Culpeper Host Lions Club from 1954 until his death; was a past chairman of the Culpeper United Way and a member of the Country Club of Culpeper, having served as treasurer and as a member of the board of directors. Mr. Davies was a lifelong member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Culpeper, where he served three terms as Senior Warden, four terms as Junior Warden, member of Vestry and Trustee. Survivors include his two sons, John A. B. "Andy" Davies Jr. and his wife, Mary F. Davies and their daughters, Kelly Elizabeth Bowersett Davies and Susan Paige Fantone Davies of Virginia Beach, Va.; and Lea Purdum Davies of Sharon, Connecticut and his life partner, Lawrence V. Power; his nephew, John J."Butch" Davies III and his wife, Margaret Wise "Marty" Moon, of Culpeper, Va.; his brother, John "Jack" Jenkyn Davies Jr.; and his sister, Mildred "Ducky" Davies Campbell, who preceded him in death. A graveside funeral service will be held in Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper, Va., with Rev. Michael Gray officiating, Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. followed by a time of fellowship in the Parish Hall of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Building and Maintenance Fund, 115 N. East Street, Culpeper, Va. 22701. Condolences may be given at clore-english.com. The family has entrusted these arrangements to the Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Highway, Culpeper, Virginia 22701.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.