George Leon Davis, Sr. "Coach"

George Leon Davis, Sr. “Coach” was born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 4, 1933. He was born to the late Dorothy Louise Bates Davis Burks and the late James Edward Davis. George went peacefully to his heavenly home on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 23, 2023.

George attended Davidson County Schools graduating from Haynes High in 1951. Enrolling in Tennessee State University for a period. His education would be put on delay due to being drafted in 1953 in the U.S. Army where he served in the Army Medical Corp during the Korean Conflict in Lakenheath Air Force Base in England.

George received an Honorable Discharge after his service. He returned to Tennessee State University and graduated in 1958 with a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education. In 1958 he began as a P.E. Teacher and Coach at Fairfield Industrial High School in Fairfield, Alabama. He went on to Jefferson County School System Roosevelt Junior High School and later to A.G. Gaston Junior High School in Birmingham, Alabama where he remained until his retirement with 34 years in the system.

His dedication to his profession, love of his students and outstanding ability to instruct and engage earned him many accolades over the years.

Perhaps his greatest teaching talent was his unique ability to encourage and inspire all his students to excel in school and in their future endeavors.

George Sr. accepted Christ at an early age. He joined Bryant Chapel A.M.E. in Birmingham, Alabama. At Bryant Chapel he served as President of the Trustee Board and was a member of the Male Chorus for many years. After he returned to Nashville, Tennessee he joined Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church where he was a member of the Sons of Bethel and the New Age Senior Organization.

George Sr. “G.L.” was united in marriage with the former Barbara Lee Beason, they are the parents of two children. George Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Delores Davis Ivey, son, George L. Davis, Jr. and great granddaughter baby Geona Denise Davis.

George, Sr. loved sports and grilling for cookouts. He attended every TSU game whether it be football, basketball, baseball or track and field. He was true to the Big Blue TSU Alumni Organization.

He leaves to cherish his memories; his devoted wife of 68 years, Barbara Lee Davis, daughter, Lisa D. Davis, brother, Thomas Davis, grandchildren, Aleshia L. Beene, George L. Davis, III, Cerrita N. Taylor, great-grandchildren, Jaliyah D. Hopkins, Jeromey E. Hopkins, Jason A. Hopkins, Drew D. Gooch, Gemond Leon Davis, and Tameria D. Davis; sister-in-love, Dora M. Owsley and brother-in-love, Mack E. Beason, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and the entire Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church Family.