Richmond Cowan Davis

Richmond Cowan Davis was born September 6, 1913 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. He was the youngest child, and the only boy, of three children born to the late James Alexander Davis and the late Mattie Cowan. He attended Arkansas A. M. and N. College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Education and a minor in Chemistry, in 1937. In 1947 he was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Gladys Wells, to whom he remained married until her death in 1996. To this union three children were born: Richmond C. (Butch), Jr., Alice Janette and James Kevin. Butch preceded him in death. In 1951 he taught classes in Agricultural Education at Arkansas A. M. & N. College until leaving to attend Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Education in 1954 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education Administration in 1956 from Michigan State. He was a member of the Michigan State Advisory Group which established the University of Nigeria and served as Dean of one of the four faculties at the University of Nigeria between 1961 and 1963. He returned to Pine Bluff to Arkansas A. M. & N. College as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Research and Development where he served until his retirement in 1988. In 2002 he moved from Pine Bluff to Alexandria, Virginia where he lived with his daughter, and later Dallas, Texas where he lived with his son until his death. He leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Mrs. Erma Guydon of Merrillville, Indiana; his daughter, Mrs. Alice Davis Wood of Alexandria, Virginia; his son, James Kevin Davis of Dallas, Texas; his cousin Ruth Haymon of Duncanville, Texas; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two nieces: Mrs. Irma J. Reed of Chicago, Illinois and Mrs. Wanda Guydon Clemmons of Merrillville, Indiana; and many relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Faith Presbyterian Church, 913 North University Drive, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with the reverend Hurmon Hamilton, officiating. Interment will be at the P.K. Miller Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, July 6, 2012 at the P.K. Miller Mortuary from 6 until 8 p.m. Dr. Davis will lie in repose at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service.