Friends recall Davis' life

By CHERIL VERNON

Community members are mourning the loss of local historian Drew Franklin Davis, who died recently.

Davis, 50, had involved in various community activities over the years and was especially active during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“Drew was one of our most knowledgeable local historians and helped compile the 1986 Sesquicentennial calendar showing the dates of hundreds of historical events,” said Bonnie Woolverton, former chairman of the Anderson County Historical Commission and the past president of the Palestine Library Friends, Inc. who served on the Friends board with Davis. “He was a perfect fit as curator and director of the Museum for East Texas Culture in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The photographic exhibit of Palestine architecture there was one of his best and most popular displays. His expertise about the old, historical homes here also was obvious in the North and South Side driving tour booklets he authored. Working with Drew on a variety of projects over the years was an enjoyable experience; I learned so much from him.”

“Drew was a kind, likeable friend whose enthusiastic love of history will be missed by all of us who admired him and his accomplishments. Our local historical circle has been diminished by his untimely death.”

Davis graduated from Palestine High School in 1974, attended Tyler Junior College to study journalism, Baylor University to study Oral Communication and the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art to study Theater Arts. He received his B.A.A.S. in Applied Arts & Sciences (magna cum laude) at The University of Texas at Tyler and graduated with his M.A. in English at The University of Texas at Tyler in 1996.

Some of his achievements included being owner/manager of “Theatre at Large” in London, England; serving as project manager of the J. Rip Cook house restoration from 1982 to 1984; serving as managing director of the Museum for East Texas Culture from 1985 to 1992; working as a data technician and shift supervisor for I-Net Inc. in 1993; and serving as former co-owner and manager of the old Houston’s Discount Store in Palestine. In recent years, he was working on a Bi-Centennial calendar and writing books.

Davis was a member of various organizations throughout the years including: a member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, former den leader with the Boy Scouts of America, past member of the Story Elementary School PTA board, former ambassador for The University of Texas Institute of Texas Cultures; past treasurer of UT Tyler Alumni Association (Texas Alpha Xi, Chapter Alpha Chi), member of Sigma Tau Delta International English Society; past regional representative of Texas Association of Museums; past president, vice president and treasurer of Northeast Texas Museum Association, vice president and founder of Palestine Historical Preservation Commission; past chairman of Anderson County Historical Commission; past ambassador of Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce; and past treasurer of Palestine Library Friends Board.

“Drew was a dedicated volunteer who loved his community, loved the history of Palestine and loved the library. Most of all, he enjoyed helping the community theater become a stage. Through his lifetime of achievements, No. 1 was his son Granville Herrington Davis, who he loved very much,” said close friend and high school sweetheart Tracy Dudley Bouquet.

Longtime friend Mary Kolstad remembers Davis for his love of history.

“We met about 25 years ago. He was a great source of local history. He could tell you the history of almost any home or older building in Palestine,” she said. “He was very involved in the community, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He and his mother (Maetta Darlen Herrington Cumby) were instrumental in putting the museum back together.”

Graveside services for Davis will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Holly Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Glenn officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Bailey & Foster, Palestine. Davis died Aug. 4 in Palestine.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in memory of Davis to the Palestine Public Library.

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Cheril Vernon may be contacted via email at community@palestineherald.com

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