ENROLLED
2016 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY REPRESENTATIVE LANCE HARRIS
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Frances
Bolton Davis.
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Louisiana House
of Representatives learned of the death of Frances Bolton Davis on Tuesday, January 5,
2016, at the age of eighty-seven; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis attended Bolton High School and Randolph-Macon
Women's College, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in history; she was later
awarded a doctorate of humane letters by Centenary College; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from college, Mrs. Davis worked for Rapides Bank and
Trust Company, the bank her grandfather founded; she later served as director of the bank;
and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis married Dr. Paul "Mac" Davis, Jr., and after a stint of living
overseas while Dr. Davis honorably served his country in the military, the loving couple
moved back to Alexandria; and
WHEREAS, as a resident of Alexandria, Mrs. Davis was an instrumental figure in
numerous nonprofit, civic organizations; she was a patron of the arts and a strong advocate
for improving the quality of life in central Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis served on numerous boards, including those for Rapides
Bank and Trust Company, First United Methodist Church, the Alexandria Museum of Art,
the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, and she was a founding member of the River Oaks Square
Arts Center; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis and her family gave generously of their time, energy, and
resources to Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA); Mrs. Davis established the
first endowed professorship in the department of business and the Bolton Excellence in
Teaching award; she also supported the expansion of the library and the creation of the
LSUA Child Care Center; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, Mrs. Davis received the Alexandria Rotary Club's Service
Above Self award in recognition of her generosity and work to make Alexandria a better
place; and
WHEREAS, she also received the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award from the
Louisiana office of cultural development; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was an emeritus and charter member of River Oaks Square
Arts Center board of directors; the Bolton family donated their home to the city of
Alexandria in an agreement that it would be used solely for the arts, and it became a catalyst
for the center; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis, along with her husband, developed the Lake District to
raise development standards in central Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, on December 18, 2015, the Rapides Area Planning Commission
presented Mrs. Davis with a Commendation of Excellence in recognition of her and her
husband's significant role in the development of the Lake District; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years,
Dr. Paul "Mac" Davis, Jr.; her parents, James and Frances Sample Bolton; and her sister,
Mary Eleanor Bolton; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis is survived by her sons, Paul M. Davis, III, and his wife,
Beth, and James Bolton Davis and his wife, Linda; her daughter, Frances Sentell Davis; her
grandchildren, Paul McMillian Davis, IV, Stephen Bolton Davis, James Stafford Davis,
Catherine Calderwood Davis, and William Parker Davis; her great-grandchild, Carter
Holman Davis; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis will be remembered for her remarkable leadership, her
brilliant intellect, and all of the incomparable talents that she lent to her fellow citizens and
as a community leader whose loyalty and dedication to the city of Alexandria were inspiring
and unwavering; and
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WHEREAS, Mrs. Davis represented all that is good about Louisiana as a woman
with unique gifts and a charitable spirit who shared her abilities with her community and
state, and she is terribly missed but will never be forgotten.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Frances Bolton Davis and does hereby recognize that the life and work of this
extraordinary woman will forever be a source of deep pride and honor for the city of
Alexandria and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Frances Bolton Davis.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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