House Resolution 45

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HALTON ARNOLD DAVIS, SR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the many communities he was a member of lost a wonderful friend, community leader, Christian and minister on February 24, 2002, with the passing of Halton Arnold Davis, Sr., who was born on March 9, 1935, to Benjamin and Birdie Davis in Clay County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he was affectionately known in his community as Brother Arnold Davis, but to his family he was called Granddaddy "D"; and

WHEREAS, on February 17, 1956, Brother Arnold Davis married the love of his life, Bessie Ruth Williams, and their love stood the test of time, having been faithfully and loyally married for 46 years before the Lord called him to eternal rest at the age of 66 and later called his beloved wife on February 24, 2009; and

WHEREAS, having a sense of duty and honor, Brother Arnold Davis served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict; and

WHEREAS, while stationed at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, California, Brother Arnold Davis found a Bible someone threw away in a trash dumpster and he could not understand why someone would throw away a Bible, and it was this experience that God used to call Brother Arnold Davis to the ministry; and

WHEREAS, after feeling God's call to serve the people as a minister, Brother Arnold Davis graduated from seminary at Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Florida, with the hope that he would be able to lead as many people as he could to eternal salvation; and

WHEREAS, Brother Arnold Davis served in the ministry from 1963 until 2002, serving God for 39 years in the states of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, winning people to the Lord in the way that only he could; and

WHEREAS, one of his many gifts included serving several years as a Hospice Chaplin for Stay Home of Carthage, helping people in their utmost time of need, a duty he felt very passionate about; and

WHEREAS, Brother Arnold Davis left a lifetime of Christian legacies for his family to follow for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, his "Smile, God loves you and so do I" cards can be found all over Mississippi and Alabama, brightening peoples day and reminding them to have faith in the Lord and everything will be okay; and

WHEREAS, though he has passed on to be with the Lord, Brother Arnold Davis' legacy will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: children, Halton A. Davis, Jr., and James Timothy Davis; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless and genteel nature of an individual of the esteemed caliber as that of Brother Arnold Davis:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and legacy of Halton Arnold Davis, Sr., and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Brother Arnold Davis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.