Davis Henderson's Obituary
Davis Henderson, 99, of Hawthorne, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home on April 1, 2015. He was looking forward to his 100th birthday in June.
Davis is survived by his wife, Nana Belle Davis Henderson and his daughter, Carolyn Henderson Gaskins. Davis was preceded in death by his son, Jefferson Davis Henderson in 2008. Also surviving are Davis’ four beloved grandchildren, James, Drew and Kathryn Gaskins and Scott Henderson and five precious great-grandchildren, Graysen and Ryland Gaskins, Lili and Amelia Gaskins and Milani Henderson.
Davis was born in Marianna, Florida to David Edgar Henderson and Ruth Acker Davis in 1915. His educational odyssey took him from Florida and Alabama public schools, to the Webb School in Tennessee to the University of Alabama and then to the Northwestern University (Chicago) Dental School from which he graduated in 1939 with a DDS degree.
Davis interned at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT and was commissioned a Ltjg in the U. S. Navy Dental Corp. in 1940. In that same year he married Nana Belle Davis of Lakeland, FL and, with his first Naval duty assignment to the U. S. Naval Academy, they moved to Annapolis, MD. Davis had many assignments during his 24 year Naval career, including the USS Omaha during WWII. He retired from the Navy in 1964, having attained the rank of Captain.
His love of dentistry continued, first as a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and, then in 1971 he joined the faculty of the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He was awarded Professor Emeritus in 1981.
Davis was an avid fisherman and an excellent golfer. His many hobbies included bird carving and making custom golf clubs. In the Hawthorne community he volunteered with a small group to restore the New Hope United Methodist Church (Hawthorne Historical Museum), built several houses with Habitat for Humanity, spearheaded the formation of the FUMC of Hawthorne Community Garden, and then designed and oversaw the creation of the FUMC of Hawthorne Memorial Garden.
It is in this serene little memorial garden that Davis will be memorialized on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 4:00 P. M. Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Hawthorne is assisting with arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Hawthorne Memorial Garden Fund or to the University of Florida Dental School.
“A Man can do all things if he will.”
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