HLS 161ES-38 ORIGINAL
2016 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY REPRESENTATIVE LANCE HARRIS
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Frances Bolton Davis of
Alexandria
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Frances
3 Bolton Davis.
4 WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Louisiana House
5of Representatives learned of the death of Frances Bolton Davis on Tuesday, January 5,
62016, at the age of eighty-seven; and
7 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis attended Bolton High School and Randolph-Macon
8Women's College, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in history; she was later
9awarded a doctorate of humane letters by Centenary College; and
10 WHEREAS, after graduating from college, Mrs. Davis worked for Rapides Bank and
11Trust Company, the bank her grandfather founded; she later served as director of the bank;
12and
13 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis married Dr. Paul "Mac" Davis, Jr., and after a stint of living
14overseas while Dr. Davis honorably served his country in the military, the loving couple
15moved back to Alexandria; and
16 WHEREAS, as a resident of Alexandria, Mrs. Davis was an instrumental figure in
17numerous nonprofit, civic organizations; she was a patron of the arts and a strong advocate
18for improving the quality of life in central Louisiana; and
19 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis served on numerous boards, including those for Rapides
20Bank and Trust Company, First United Methodist Church, the Alexandria Museum of Art,
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HR NO. 5
1the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and she was a founding member of the River Oaks Square
2Arts Center; and
3 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis and her family gave generously of their time, energy, and
4resources to Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA); Mrs. Davis established the
5first endowed professorship in the department of business and the Bolton Excellence in
6Teaching award; she also supported the expansion of the library and the creation of the
7LSUA Child Care Center; and
8 WHEREAS, in 2013, Mrs. Davis received the Alexandria Rotary Club's Service
9Above Self award in recognition of her generosity and work to make Alexandria a better
10place; and
11 WHEREAS, she also received the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award from the
12Louisiana office of cultural development; and
13 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was an emeritus and charter member of River Oaks Square
14Arts Center board of directors; the Bolton family donated their home to the city of
15Alexandria in an agreement that it would be used solely for the arts, and it became a catalyst
16for the center; and
17 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis, along with her husband, developed the Lake District to
18raise development standards in central Louisiana; and
19 WHEREAS, on December 18, 2015, the Rapides Area Planning Commission
20presented Mrs. Davis with a Commendation of Excellence in recognition of her and her
21husband's significant role in the development of the Lake District; and
22 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years,
23Dr. Paul "Mac" Davis, Jr.; her parents, James and Frances Sample Bolton; and her sister,
24Mary Eleanor Bolton; and
25 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis is survived by her sons, Paul M. Davis, III, and his wife,
26Beth, and James Bolton Davis and his wife, Linda; her daughter, Frances Sentell Davis; her
27grandchildren, Paul McMillian Davis, IV, Stephen Bolton Davis, James Stafford Davis,
28Catherine Calderwood Davis, and William Parker Davis; her great-grandchild, Carter
29Holman Davis; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and
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HR NO. 5
1 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis will be remembered for her remarkable leadership, her
2brilliant intellect, and all of the incomparable talents that she lent to her fellow citizens and
3as a community leader whose loyalty and dedication to the city of Alexandria were inspiring
4and unwavering; and
5 WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis represented all that is good about Louisiana as a woman
6with unique gifts and a charitable spirit who shared her abilities with her community and
7state, and she is terribly missed but will never be forgotten.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
9Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
10death of Frances Bolton Davis and does hereby recognize that the life and work of this
11extraordinary woman will forever be a source of deep pride and honor for the city of
12Alexandria and the state of Louisiana.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
14to the family of Frances Bolton Davis.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 5 Original 2016 First Extraordinary Session Lance Harris
Express condolences upon the death of Frances Bolton Davis.
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