| Sources |
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 16 Dec 2007.
Last woman out: Lois Caughron talks about life in Cades Cove
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 7 Apr 1999.
Kermit Caughron obitaury
- [S25] Smith Mortuary Company, www.smithmortuary.com, 22 Aug 2011.
Born: December 12, 1946
Died: August 22, 2011
Services: Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. Ernest Condee officiating.
Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Smith Trinity Chapel.
John Paul “Johnny Paul” Davis Jr. age 64 of Walland passed away Monday, August 22, 2011 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. John was a member of Prospect Baptist Church where he was a descendant of the church founding members. Preceded in death by: Parents, J. Paul Davis & Martha Avis Willocks Davis; Brother, Eddie Lynn Davis. Survivors include: Loving and Devoted Wife of 46 years, Ruth Caughron Davis; Sons & Daughters-in-law, John P. III & Rhonda Davis and Chris & Melinda Davis all of Walland; Grandsons, John P. IV, Ryan, Jebediah, and Christopher; Granddaughters, Johnna Lynn and Taylor; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members also survive. John was a life-long resident of Blount County, Tennessee, and a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, friend and community leader. He was very proud of his heritage, his family and their accomplishments in Blount County. John became employed with Blount County Schools, beginning his employment as a janitor. Through determination and strength, he completed his education and worked his way through the ranks of the Blount County School system, becoming a teacher at Lanier Elementary, teaching-principal at Rush Strong and Chilhowee View Schools; assistant principal at Walland Middle and Heritage High, principal at Eagleton Elementary and William Blount High, supervisor at Blount County Schools Central Office, and teacher at Porter Elementary. He was elected as School Superintendent and as a Blount County School board member, where he also served as Chairman of the Board. John was an advocate for the students, teachers, and employees of Blount County Schools, being the voice in the forefront, constantly and passionately, pursuing better schools, better pay, and a better quality of life for all. During his administration as Superintendent of Schools and while serving as a member of the Blount County Board of Education, numerous schools in Blount County were constructed and/or renovated. John faithfully served as a member on numerous Boards and Committees, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Blount County Soil Conservation District, the Blount County Farm Bureau, and the Blount County Livestock Association. He was the fourth generation to operate the family farm in the Prospect/Oak View Community, where he dedicated his life to his goal of leaving the land in better shape than he found it by implementing and promoting sound ecologically friendly conservation practices. John received many local and state awards for his achievements in livestock production and farm and forest management. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. Ernest Condee officiating. Interment will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 26, 2011 at Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Cades Cove Preservation Association, PO Box 213, Alcoa, TN 37701 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Cades Cove Preservation Association, PO Box 213, Alcoa, TN 37701 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Cemetery: Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery
Location: Smith Mortuary
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 23 Aug 2011.
Board Chairman Davis dead at 64
By Matthew Stewart | matts@thedailytimes.com
John P. Davis Jr., who rose from janitor to chairman of the Blount County Board of Education, died Monday after a short battle with cancer. He was 64.
Earlier this year, Davis was diagnosed with stage IV esophageal and stomach cancer. School board members granted him a 60-day leave of absence, but he was still the board’s acting chairman at his death.
Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at Smith Trinity Chapel with interment at 11 a.m. Friday at Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery.
Davis was one of the school district’s longest-serving champions, serving in some capacity for 40 years.
In the early ’70s, he was a custodian in the county’s maintenance department, teacher at Lanier Elementary School, principal at Rush Strong Elementary School and a teaching principal at Chilhowee View Elementary School.
From 1977-85, Davis was Walland Middle School’s principal. In the late '80s, he was the system’s Title I supervisor and a teacher at Porter Elementary School.
Davis was the system’s superintendent from 1990-94. He served from 1994-96 as a Heritage High School assistant principal.
From 1996-2001, Davis was William Blount High School’s principal. He was elected to the school board in 2004.
Many contributions
School officials lamented Davis’ passing and expressed gratitude for his many contributions to Blount County Schools.
“We’re deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and friend,” said Blount County Director of Schools Rob Britt. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ruth (Caughron Davis) and the entire Davis family.”
Britt was a William Blount High School assistant principal during Davis’ tenure.
“John brought a vibrant, larger-than-life appetite for student success,” Britt said. “He really emphasized working together as a team, and I truly learned the importance of building relationships while working with him. I watched him live it through his gentle nature, storytelling and ability to relate with all kinds of people. He was a very skilled leader and administrator. He touched many lives, and I like to think about the tremendous legacy that he’s left this system.”
School board member Chris Cantrell first met Davis when he was running for superintendent. “As a teenager, I was impressed by his stature. He was very classy and dignified. He had a real presence about him. You knew when Johnny Paul was around,” Cantrell said.
In 2004, Cantrell reconnected with Davis when they both decided to run for the Blount County Board of Education. “He was an expert on our educational system. Whenever he spoke, I really took what he said to heart. He always talked about doing what’s best for kids. I believe he meant it every time, because that’s where his heart was,” he said.
Board Vice Chairman Rob Webb’s first job was at the Charcoal House, which was owned by Ed and John Davis. “John was an awesome man to work for, and he’s been my mentor for more than 40 years,” Webb said. “He was a great educator, husband and father. He was also a really good friend to a lot of people. John truly, truly cared about people. I can remember one family that lived close to the Charcoal House. They were very poor, and John would prepare food and take it to them. It made a big difference in their lives.”
Agricultural leader
Davis was a longtime community leader, especially in agriculture. At the time of his death, he was a board member for the Tuckaleechee Utility District, Blount County Farm Bureau, Blount County Soil Conservation District and Blount County Livestock Association.
UT Agricultural Extension Agent and County Director John Wilson had worked with Davis on several projects over the past four years.
“In recent years, he’d worked to harvest switchgrass for ethanol production. He was a visionary and risk taker. He seized an agricultural opportunity and decided to be a part of new energy enterprises,” Wilson said.
Davis’ legacy is immeasurable, Wilson said. “He was very proud of his agricultural heritage. As a staunch supporter, he showcased agriculture throughout Blount County and East Tennessee. Blount County is forever indebted to John Davis and his tremendous love for this community.”
“He was committed to environmental stewardship,” said Blount County Soil Conservation District Director Erich Henry. “He implemented a wide variety of conservation projects on his own farm, which has helped restore Ellejoy Creek to its former glory.”
Davis installed livestock exclusion fencing and created multiple stream crossings, which has allowed livestock to safely cross the stream without damaging the delicate banks, Henry said. Davis also implemented alternate water systems that allowed him to rotate livestock.
The initiatives “increased the organic matter of his soil, lengthened the grazing season and decreased his reliance on fertilizer,” he said.
Davis’ life can be summed up with one quote, according to Blount County Sheriff’s Lt. Patrick England. He was William Blount High School’s student resource officer until 1999.
England quoted Abraham Lincoln: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
“John served in many capacities, but if you look at how he conducted himself, you’d know that he was a truly honorable man,” he said.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 75349720).
|
Search | Advanced Search
1946 - 2011 (64 years)
[3, 4] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps