Faye Tennyson Davidson

Faye Tennyson Davidson



Jan.19th 1917 – Dec. 2nd 2009



Faye Davidson was the widow of Howell Lee Davidson who died December 7, 1978. She was a freelance writer, poet, columnist, historian and genealogist.



She was born January 19, 1917 to Hiram Franklin and Mattie Lucille Jernigan Tennyson in Memphis, TN.



In education, she graduated from Hornsby Junior High and was Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Bolivar Central High School in 1935 and was Poet of her class. She continued her education in a commercial business course receiving a certificate. She was employed as a clerk in her father’s General Merchandise Store and as a substitute teacher in the public school systems. She also received a certificate as a nurse’s aid as the war was rumbling in 1939. Faye attended poetry workshops, genealogy seminars and Bible studies. She attended Jackson State College for art classes.



Her marriage to Howell Lee Davidson was September 10, 1942. They were parents of two children Virginia (Gina) Faye Davidson Ross and Howell Lee Davidson III.



Faye was appointed an honorary member of the court of Hardeman County, Tennessee as County Historian in 1973. Her interest in history prompted the formation of the Hardeman County Commission for Publishing a County History and she served as President. It was published in 1979. She was author of the pageant “Historic Hardeman County of Tennessee” presented at the sesquicentennial for the county. As a genealogist she co-authored thirteen primary books on Hardeman County Resources for History and Genealogy, a family history book “Tennis / Tennisson / Tennyson” in 1991 and a reprint with Tennison in 2000. In the city of Bolivar she was on the Historical and Cultural Board.



As a poet, Faye was a member of The Tennessee Poetry Society; Jackson Writer’s Group, Chickasaw Branch; National League of American Pen Women; Tennessee Women’s Press and authored “Echo, One Book of Poetry”, “Moments and Beyond” in 1996 and “Haiku Poems” in 2007. Her works have been on radio, television, in anthologies, quarterlies and newspapers. She was a member of West Tennessee Historical Society. She was listed in Tennessee Belles’ Letters 1977; a member of Hatchie Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution serving three terms as Regent; National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, National Huguenot Society, U.S. Daughters of 1812, National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, Daughters of the American Colonists, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Faye contributed articles to their quarterlies.



In January 1979 her columns, “Voices and Echoes” began in the Bolivar Bulletin-Times and concluded in 2004.



She was a member of Bolivar First Baptist Church; she sang in the choir and was a soloist at Hornsby Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church of Bolivar. She taught Sunday School in each church she attended throughout her lifetime. She was a Youth Director and Vacation Bible School Principal for many years.



She is preceded in death by her husband, Howell Lee Davidson II; her son, Howell Lee Davidson III; three brothers and two sisters.



She is survived by her daughter, Gina Ross & Larry of Bolivar, TN and daughter-in-law, Phyllis Davidson of Sevierville, TN; Grandsons, Mike Ross, John Ross, and Howell Davidson; Granddaughters, Cheslee Davidson, Rachel Davidson, Hanna Davidson; Great-grandchildren, Tessa Ross, James Ross, Chelsey Ross, Hunter Davidson, Tori Davidson and Zackrey Davidson and Great-great-grandchildren Abby Moore and Mya Davidson.



“Mama Faye” as most knew her never met a stranger and was the inspiration of her entire family. She was a shining example of Christian faith and love to all who shared even one minute of her precious ninety-two years. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten.