Jimmie Davis
James Houston Davis (September 11, 1899 – November 5, 2000) was an American singer, songwriter, and politician. After achieving fame for releasing both sacred and popular songs, Davis served as governor of Louisiana from 1944 to 1948 and again from 1960 to 1964. As Governor, he was an opponent of efforts to desegregate Louisiana.
Jimmie Davis | |
|---|---|
Davis in 1962 | |
| 47th Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office May 10, 1960 – May 12, 1964 | |
| Lieutenant | Taddy Aycock |
| Preceded by | Earl Long |
| Succeeded by | John McKeithen |
| In office May 9, 1944 – May 11, 1948 | |
| Lieutenant | J. Emile Verret |
| Preceded by | Sam H. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Earl Long |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Houston Davis September 11, 1899 Jackson Parish, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 5, 2000 (aged 101) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Cemetery, Quitman, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Alvern Adams (died 1967) Anna Gordon (m. 1969) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Louisiana Christian University (BA) Louisiana State University (MA) |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, former educator, politician |
Davis was a nationally popular country music and gospel singer from the 1930s into the 1960s, occasionally recording and performing as late as the early 1990s. He appeared as himself in a number of Hollywood movies. He was inducted into six halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. At the time of his death in 2000, he was the oldest living former governor as well as the last living governor to have been born in the 19th century.