SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5002 Offered March 27, 2006 Celebrating the life of Judge Beverly Andrew Davis III. ---------- Patrons-- Hawkins, Edwards and Reynolds; Delegates: Armstrong, Dudley, Hurt and Marshall, D.W. ----------

WHEREAS, Beverly Andrew Davis III of Rocky Mount, respected citizen and admired judge of the Franklin County Circuit Court for nearly 25 years, died on March 14, 2006; and

WHEREAS, B. A. "Monk" Davis graduated from Augusta Military Academy; entered Washington and Lee University; served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps; and, upon discharge from active duty, earned an undergraduate degree at Washington and Lee University and a law degree from Washington and Lee Law School; and

WHEREAS, B. A. "Monk" Davis began the practice of law with his father and uncle in Franklin County, served as an assistant United States attorney from 1951 to 1953, and established his own successful local law firm in Rocky Mount; and

WHEREAS, B. A. "Monk" Davis was elected judge of the Twenty-Second Judicial Circuit by the General Assembly in 1973; and

WHEREAS, during his prestigious judicial tenure, Judge Davis was a fair and exacting judge, as well as a preferred mentor to many young lawyers because of his sharp wit, intellect, and gift for colorful storytelling; and

WHEREAS, because of his vast experience and judicial acumen, Judge Davis was often asked to hear difficult cases across the Commonwealth; and

 WHEREAS, Judge Davis served as chairman of the Virginia Division of the Council of Criminal Justice from 1978 to 1982; and

WHEREAS, Judge Davis was honored as a Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation in 2003, a distinction that recognizes excellence in the practice of law and public service and is limited to one percent of the active and associate membership of the Virginia State Bar; and

WHEREAS, committed to improving the quality of life of all of his neighbors, Judge Davis served as chairman of the Franklin County School Board and as a member of the boards of the Community Partnership for Revitalization and the Developmental Center of Franklin County; and

WHEREAS, Judge Davis retired from full-time service on the bench in 1998 but continued to sit as a designated judge in Franklin County until 2005; and

WHEREAS, a great believer in young people, Judge Davis was a loyal supporter of Franklin County High School athletics and an avid fan of the Franklin County Eagle football team; and

WHEREAS, Judge Davis will be fondly missed for his love of the law; his stern countenance, which belied his kindness and compassion, especially toward young people; and his uncommon dedication to the people of Franklin County; and

WHEREAS, Judge Davis will be sorely missed by his beloved family members and his six wonderful grandchildren, his numerous friends and admirers, and the residents of Rocky Mount; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly mourn the passing of a fine judge and outstanding Virginian, Judge Beverly Andrew Davis III; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Judge Beverly Andrew Davis III as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.