Douglas Lamar Davis

Douglas "Doug" Davis, Sr. (aka Coach Davis) was born to Jesse and Catherine Walker Davis on March 15, 1954. He was born and reared in Anniston, Alabama and lived most of his life in Calhoun County. Doug absolutely loved his hometown and exuded unwavering community pride. He played football at Cobb Avenue High School, which he deemed "the greatest high school ever".He earned the school's letter in football and track, and also earned many other honors during his days at Cobb. Although he loved football, he was also passionate about education. While at Cobb he received several athletic honors, but more importantly, in 1972, he graduated with academic honors. Upon graduation, he received a scholarship to play football at Western Illinois University. From there he transferred to Alabama State University, where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. While at ASU, he earned many academic honors and was named team captain, awarded "Most Outstanding Linebacker", was selected to the All-Academic Team for Black College Athletes and also served as president of his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. He later obtained a Master's of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Jacksonville State University.

Immediately following graduation from AS"U, he began teaching and coaching at Colbert Heights High School.  He was later hired to be the health and physical education teacher and would also serve as assistant coach and Defensive Coordinator at Anniston High School.After twenty-two years of being assistant coach, Doug was promoted to the head coaching position. This was a lifelong dream come true for Coach Davis. He also coached track for twenty-two years and won various awards, including fourteen county track titles. Twice he won the Track Coach of the Year in the region. He always wanted to see young people succeed and never gave up on them, nor would he let them give up on themselves. His famous motto was, "Never Quit"!

Coach Davis practiced what he preached. He was a fighter. Despite suffering for nearly twenty years, he did not quit. He fought until the Lord said, "Well Done", and called him home to rest. Doug died at Diversicare of Oxford after a long battle with a debilitating disease called Spinocerebellar Ataxia. He transitioned peacefully in his sleep on July 1, 2018 at 2:50 am.

Doug leaves to cherish his precious memories: his former spoude, Jacqueline Davis; his children, Jeronda (Ernest) Burley, Brandi (Zeno) Arnold, and Douglas, Jr.; his grandchildren, Christopher Davis, Naomi Burley , Ernest Burley, III and Destiny Arnold; his sister, JoAnn (Gene) Goodman; his brother, Jesse (Nona) Davis; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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