Mrs. Jane Tanner Davis, age 85, widow of the late Sheriff Melvin L. Davis, passed away Friday evening at Coffee Regional Hospital in Douglas, Ga., following an extended illness. Born November 16, 1907, in Coffee County Georgia, Mrs. Davis was the daughter of the late Staten and Jennie Belle Music Tanner. She had made her home in Pearson, Georgia since 1940 and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry Smith and her second, Mr. Davis. Survivors include: 2 sons: Harry Smith of Douglas, Ga., Melvin L. Davis of Hilton Head, S.C.; 1 daughter: Dot Tucker of Pearson, Ga.; 1 sister: Mattie Bradshaw of Tallahassee, Fla.; 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Davis were held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, at the First Baptist Church in Pearson, Georgia with Rev. Travis McDonald and Rev. Ralph Foster officiating. "Amazing Grace" was sung by the congregation with music provided by Mary Ann Williams, pianist and Candace Brown, organist. Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Brown also played soft piano and organ music for the prelude and postlude. The interment followed in the Sweetwater Cemetery. Serving as active pallbearers were: Wayne Smith, Leon Tucker, David Tucker, John Tucker, and Frank Sutton. Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga., was in charge of arrangements.

SOURCE: Satilla Regional Library, Genealogy Dept., Douglas, Coffee Co., Ga.
Obituary Index Card Files (OBIT 1993) ... May 15, 2004

Submitted by Lourice Lott Merritt