Former Governor Jimmie Davis Dies at 101


Obituary

A singer-songwriter, actor and former governor of Louisiana, James Houston "Jimmie" Davis died at 4:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000, at his residence in Baton Rouge. He was 101 and a native of Quitman in Jackson Parish.

Religious services will be at the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle, Jonesboro, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, conducted by the Rev. Leon Maxwell. Governor Davis will be intered in the Tabernacle Cemetery.

Governor Davis is survived by his wife, Anna Carter Davis; a stepdaughter, Vickie Owens, Fort Worth, Texas; a son, Jimmie Davis Jr., Newellton; two stepsons, Gregory Gordon, Nashville, Tenn., and Howard Gordon, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; two sisters, Dorothy Black, Phoenix, and Lela Mae King, Webster, Texas; a granddaughter, DeCarla Sunshine Netterville and husband Jeff, Natchez, Miss.; and two great-granddaughters, Summer and Addie Grace Netterville.

He was a member of First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jimmy Davis Tabernacle, c/o Chamber of Commerce, Jonesboro, LA 71251  

Brief Bio

Born September 11, 1899, in Quitman, Louisiana, Davis was a Baptist and attended Louisiana College, a private Baptist college in central Louisiana and later Louisiana State University. It was at LSU that he wrote his signature song, and now the state song of Louisiana, You Are My Sunshine.

Jimmie Davis began his career as a teacher, but soon looked for government positions to supplement his salary. Like other governors of this century, Davis followed Huey Long's route to the governorship by first serving as one of three Louisiana Public Service Commissioners.

Always looking for a way to make more money, Davis set a state record for being out-of-state while governor to star in a number of movies.

A strict segregationist, Davis served two times as Louisiana governor. First from 1944-1948 and then 1960 to 1964. He attempted another run in 1971, but the 72-year old candidate failed in a race with 19 candidates.

However, Davis was inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972.

Filmography

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