Each Wednesday for the past 21 years, Don Davis has had an appointment at the outpatient surgery center of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle.
Despite being 83 years old, the appointment is not for Davis. It is for him to talk with patients and calm their nerves before surgery.
This act of serving is nothing new for Davis, as the lifelong Lowndes County resident has ministered to its citizens for years.
Born on April 19, 1940, Davis’ childhood was nothing short of challenging. Living in New Hope, he and his grandfather slept on a cot on their screened-in back porch. His mother, sister and two cousins lived in the house as well, with his cousins and sister sleeping in the kitchen. His father spent time at a rehabilitation center after he was injured in a logging accident.
“Things were tough, but I am so thankful for it because it instilled in me a sense of wanting to do something for poor people that didn’t have the advantages that the rich might have,” he said.
After graduating from New Hope, Davis enlisted in the military, at first hiding this from his parents. In October 1958, he headed to Europe, a big change for him as he had never been out of Lowndes County.
“It was an experience that helped mold me some … for a country boy who couldn’t speak any French at all, just trying to be nice to people,” Davis said.
After returning from Europe, Davis started the path to open his own company, Electric Motor Sales and Service. He ran the company from 1969 to 2001, where he then passed it down to his son.
With extra time on his hands, Davis wanted to do more than sit at home. In his search for ways to serve the community, he learned about BMH’s Volunteer Services. After visiting several departments, he decided to volunteer with outpatient surgery.
“I have gotten to know my nurses really good. I have gotten to know administration, and it’s almost like family,” he said. “We are close. We have one goal and it is to make people happy.”
Each Wednesday, Davis arrives at the hospital at about 3:45 a.m. When visiting with children, he holds their hand, sings a quick tune to them, gives them a stuffed animal, and prays for them.
“I try the best I can to calm them, and take their mind off of ‘What am I doing here?’… I try to show them Christ’s love through the way (I) treat them,” he said.
Some days require a lot from the volunteers, with Davis spending 12 hours at the hospital last week. Nonetheless, he said he can go to bed at night and wake up the next day ready to do it again.
While he has experienced some concern from his loved ones questioning his busy lifestyle, Davis never doubts helping someone in need.
“As long as I can get up and go, and I feel like I’m helping somebody, I want to do it,” he said.
Along with serving at the hospital, Davis mows the lawns of neighbors, friends and even strangers, weekly for free. His motivation comes from his strong-rooted Christian faith and the values instilled in him to serve others.
“How can you give back to God for the blessings he has given you, other than taking care of folks and hopefully (encouraging) them to share God with somebody else,” he said. “It is me saying ‘Hey, let me do something for you.’”
Martha Cato, a New Hope resident, has seen Davis’ service firsthand, as he has mowed her lawn for the past 20 years. She said she can’t remember a time he has ever missed.
Cato said that people give all the time, but not many people will do something again and again for no charge.
“Bottom line, he serves the Lord. He isn’t serving himself,” Cato said. “He isn’t doing it for any praise or any kind of payment. He just does it. It comes naturally for Don.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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