Bill 545

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       545
Type of Legislation:               Senate Resolution SR
Introducing Body:                  Senate
Introduced Date:                   19970318
Primary Sponsor:                   J. Verne Smith 
All Sponsors:                      J. Verne Smith 
Drafted Document Number:           pt\1051dw.97
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:      19970318
Subject:                           Dr. Lewis Marion Davis,
                                   Resolutions

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________
Senate  19970318  Introduced, adopted

EXPRESSING THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE AT THE DEATH OF DR. LEWIS MARION DAVIS, ONE OF GREENVILLE COUNTY'S ABLEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED LEADERS, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS WONDERFUL FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, Dr. Lewis Marion Davis of Greer, South Carolina, departed this life on Saturday, February 8, 1997, at the age of seventy-seven; and

Whereas, Dr. Davis was a native of Donalds, graduated from Erskine College in 1939, and earned his medical degree and did three years of post-graduate work at the Medical University of South Carolina;

and

Whereas, he is survived by his wife, Caroline Westmoreland Davis; a son, Dr. Lewis M. Davis, Jr. of Atlanta; a sister, Louise D. Caldwell of Donalds; and predeceased by his daughter, Patricia Ann Davis; and

Whereas, after serving two years in the United States Army Medical Corps during World War II, Dr. Davis moved to Greer in 1948, and was the community's only general surgeon in the early 1950's; and

Whereas, Dr. Lewis Davis was a retired surgeon, who was instrumental in establishing Allen Bennett Hospital; served as Chief of Staff at Allen Bennett for many years; was a medical advisory staff member of the Greenville Hospital System; was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons; a former member of the Board of Visitors of the Medical University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, it would have been difficult to have a full-fledged hospital without Dr. Davis since he performed all of the surgery, which meant he was on call around the clock, seven days a week, to operate on auto accident victims and anyone who suffered a major medical emergency; and

Whereas, most physicians today would shudder at just the thought of leading such a life, but not Dr. Davis, who was a hyperactive dynamo performing surgery in half the time of most other surgeons; and

Whereas, on Friday nights during football season, Dr. Davis could always be found at the Greer High Stadium where he was the Yellow Jackets' team physician for Coach Phil Clark; and

Whereas, there was not a family in Greer in the 1950's and 60's who was not touched in some way by Dr. Davis and many people swear they are here today because he cured them many years ago; and

Whereas, he was a devoted member and leader of First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and former deacon; and

Whereas, Dr. Davis played other vital roles in the community; a director of the Bank of Greer from 1961 to 1986 and chairman of the South Carolina Board of United Carolina Bank from 1986 to 1992; a twelve-year member of the Greer Commission of Public Works; was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1972 and served as a director through the 1980's; a past director of the Roper Mountain Science Center; a past director of the Greenville County United Way; a former member of the Greer Lions Club; and a member of Erskine College's Board of Counsel, Greenville County Mental Health Board, and Greer Board of Greenville Technical College; and

Whereas, a strong case can be made that no one has done more for Greer than Dr. Lewis Davis through his career in medicine and later as a public servant; and

Whereas, it can be said truthfully that the world, and especially Greer, is a much better place today for the life of Dr. Davis and Greer has lost a truly outstanding citizen and a man, whose presence will be missed greatly; and

Whereas, because he was unpretentious and never sought personal glory, few people know the extent that Dr. Davis influenced the life of his community and in truth, the State of South Carolina, and we want the members of his family and many friends to know that they are in our uppermost thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow at the death of Dr. Lewis Marion Davis, one of Greenville County's ablest and most distinguished leaders, and extend deepest sympathy to his wonderful family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Dr. Lewis Marion Davis.