DAVID RAGLAND DAVIS

David Ragland Davis died on October 1, 2011. The son of Charles Perry Davis and Ona Harden Davis, he was born on March 7, 1935. He was the grandson of Joe Clay Davis, Sr., and Ida Clay Scott Davis, and Benjamin Harden and Allie Irene Harden Hunt. He was the husband of Adrienne Davis Davis. They had one son, Scott Ragland Davis, who preceded him in death. He leaves, his wife; his sister, Carol Anne Davis; and his brother, Clifford Perry Davis. Two brothers, Donald Scott Davis and Joe Clay Davis III, preceded him in death. He also leaves four nieces, Kathryn Anne Davis, Melinda Davis Connell, Virginia Davis Bridgewater (Bert), and Sydney Davis Bush (Billy); and three nephews, Charles Perry Davis II (Laura), Mark Davis, and Clinton Perry Davis (Shae). David was a graduate of Horn Lake High School and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. He studied English for a year at the University of Edinburgh and received a doctorate from the University of Memphis. David was fond of saying that he learned to teach at the High School in Parma, MO, where the students were respectful, welcoming, and good workers. He later taught English at Whitehaven High School, where he also found students with these same characteristics, and where he helped to develop the Honors English and Guidance and Counseling programs. He was headmaster at Memphis Preparatory School. He was a Shelby County language arts supervisor. He retired as Professor of Education at Christian Brothers University where he was chair of the Education Department. He was a former deacon and elder at Whitehaven Presbyterian Church, where he was a member from 1947 until November, 2005 when the church closed. He was an active member at Idlewild Presbyterian Church since that time. Visitation will be from 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, at Idlewild Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, at Idlewild Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be sent to Idlewild Presbyterian Church or the donor’s choice. Canale Funeral Directors 901-452-6400