Charles V. Davidson

Coach Davidson was born April 8, 1923 in Columbia County, the son of the late John Henry Davidson and Loretta Vines Davidson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Blanche Davidson Murphy, a brother, John Henry Davidson, Jr., and his oldest grandson, Charles Dean Shahan, on Nov. 23, 2010.

A graduate of Richmond Academy, Augusta, Coach Davidson served his country in the 712th Tank Battalion Company B. He was a graduate of Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, and began his coaching career in 1950. He coached at Washington-Wilkes from 1951-71 and led the Tigers to four State Championships in football and several in golf. He was a member, deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church while in Washington. In 1971, Coach Davidson joined the staff at Darlington as head football coach and soon as Director of Athletics, a position he held until retirement in 1987. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rome where he served on various committees and enjoyed friendships in his Sunday School Class.

Coach Davidson was honored with the highest achievement given to high school coaches in 2005 with his induction to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame with his record of 244 wins-96 losses and 14 ties. He was the sixth most winning coach at his retirement and the 27th at the time of his death. His hobbies included golf, travel and the numerous friendships made through the years and in Rome which he called his “home.” He served as president of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association 1966-67, on its board of directors for 18 years, and coached the North in the North-South All-Star Game in 1964. He was the Rome Area Coach of the Year in 1981 and was elected to the Washington-Wilkes Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Coach Davidson was the recipient of many other awards and honors during his coaching career and lifetime.

Coach Davidson touched the lives of many, treasured his wife and family and friends, loved his country, his profession and his Lord.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Vickie Bessinger Davidson, Rome; two sons, Charles Gregory Davidson, Dallas, and Michael Alan Davidson, and his wife, Missy Mathis Davidson, Marietta; one daughter, Jody Davidson Shahan, and her husband, Paul H. Shahan, Douglasville and Helen; and grandchildren, Chase Davidson, Atlanta, Tedi Davidson, Atlanta, Mackenzie, Mackalie and Malindie Davidson, Marietta, Michael Shahan, Douglasville, and Jamie Shahan, Helen.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 4 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Floyd Roebuck officiating. An interment will be held prior to the service at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens.

The family will greet friends at a reception in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church following the service.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be sent to Heyman HospiceCare, P. O. Box 163, Rome, GA 30162-0163 or the charity of choice.