A Blackshear original, Mr. Gene Davis, was warmly greeted by friends and family as he visited the Oak Plaza Restaurant for the noon meal on Friday, May 1.
Born and raised in the Forks of the Hurricane in the shadow of Beulah Baptist Church, Gene, now 87, spent his boyhood working on the farm with his parents, Elmer and Myrtle Davis, and siblings, Huey, Paul and Linda. A natural talent on the piano, Gene and his high school buddies, under the sponsorship of Mr. S.V. Lee, won the FFA State String Band Championship in the year of his graduation, 1955. The contest judge was Jerry Reed.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Gene returned to Southeast Georgia to hone his legendary piano skills.
He married a Bacon County girl, Marjorie Ellen Carnes, and they raised their four children in Alma, where Gene also started a small business specializing in floor covering. All enjoyed the get-together, and everyone could tell it did Davis much good to be back home in Blackshear with family and friends.
Gene commented thatboth the company and the seafood buffet were outstanding. And it was good to have one of Pierce County’s favorite sons back in town!
The 1955 FFA State String Band State Champs from Blackshear High School: Rudy Thomas, Wendell Williams, Jerry Reed (Judge), Doug Thomas and Gene Davis.
Gene’s daughter Kealey Hester enjoys conversation with Cousin Shelby Mattox.
Seated between Tom Boyett and Paula Davis, Gene’s brother Paul Davis is seen here pontificating upon many subjects, both profound and trivial.
