SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2019 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 248
Celebrating the life of Robert G. Davis, Jr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 11, 2019

 

WHEREAS, Robert G. Davis, Jr., an active member of the Williamsburg community and trailblazing elected official in Clifton Forge, died on April 13, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Robert Davis was born and raised in Clifton Forge, graduating from Jefferson High School and then furthering his studies at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and the University of Maryland, where he majored in business management; and

WHEREAS, Robert Davis served in the United States Army in World War II where he was deployed overseas in the Pacific Theater; and

WHEREAS, Robert Davis was elected to the Clifton Forge City Council, becoming the city’s first black councilman; he held numerous other elected and community leadership positions in Clifton Forge, including serving as a member of the school board and the parent-teacher association, and as a Cub Scout master; he was elected as vice mayor by the Clifton Forge City Council and held that position until his transfer to Baltimore with the CSX Railroad System in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Robert Davis was actively involved in numerous social and religious organizations in Clifton Forge; he was a member of the First Baptist Church and of the deacon board; he held membership in the John W. Barnes Masonic Lodge Number 305, serving in leadership positions; and he chaired the Jefferson High School reunion committee; and

WHEREAS, while employed at CSX Railroad, Robert Davis served as safety coordinator, overseeing safety programs on the Maryland Division, and as an instructor for the brakeman training program; he later served as trainmaster in Martinsburg, West Virginia, until his retirement after 40 years of service; and

WHEREAS, following retirement, Robert Davis relocated to Williamsburg and lived in the area for more than 20 years; he was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, where he served as the chair of the diaconate board, as a Sunday school teacher, and as a Bible instructor for the retiree ministry; he was most recently honored with the title of Deacon Emeritus; and

WHEREAS, Robert Davis was an active member and leader of Masonic lodges in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Robert Davis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife Opelene; his children, Frank, Kevin, Rhonda, and Deborah, and their families; and numerous other family and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert G. Davis, Jr., an active member of the Williamsburg community and a trailblazing elected official in Clifton Forge; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert G. Davis, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for his memory.