Jean Elaine Davis

Jean "Jingle" Davis of St. Simons Island, Georgia died at home on Tuesday June 13th, 2023. She was 81 years old. Born in Brunswick, Georgia on March 23rd, 1942, Jingle grew up on St. Simons with her parents, beloved brother, Jaxon, cousin Carol, and grandmother Bessie. Her childhood was spent exploring the beautiful island, swimming, crabbing, fishing and finding buried treasure. She had a profound love of art, books, animals, travel, and especially of reading and writing. She inherited her love of music, writing, and wonderful story-telling from her parents, grandmother, and uncle Edgar Langston and spent much of her childhood reading voraciously and writing stories - a love affair that would continue for a lifetime.

After graduating from Glynn Academy in 1960, Jingle took college courses and seminars in writing and was a fellow at the Ossabaw Island Project. She began freelance writing and working for The Brunswick News, The Darien News, and The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Subsequently, she went on to spend over 20 years at The Atlanta Journal Constitution where she retired as an editor. She worked briefly for the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources, wrote for the "Outdoors in Georgia" magazine and contributed numerous articles for other publications, including The New York Times. She was an intrepid writer, fearlessly journeying as far as Cuba, posing as an undercover shrimp boat cook to report on the Mariel boatlift. She conducted wide-ranging interviews from those with fisherman and farmers to First Ladies.

Jingle's legacy is marked by her love of the Golden Isles and coastal Georgia. She notably authored a series of award-winning and best-selling historical, non-fiction books on the area with photographer, Ben Galland: Island Time, 2013, an illustrated history of St. Simons Island, Georgia; Island Passages, 2016, an illustrated history of Jekyll Island, Georgia; and most recently, Following the Tabby Trail, 2022, a historical guide to some of the southern coast's most enduring architectural sites.

Her unique Victorian-inspired house near the pier section on St. Simons was full of eclectic art, artifacts, and countless books. Her house was a regular stop and center of activity and outstanding meals and conversations for family and residents and visitors to St. Simons over the years. Often gatherings and her expertly-cooked meals were interrupted to watch Jingle run the categories on Jeopardy.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jaxon O'Dell Hice (Charlotte, NC & St. Simons) and Jean Elizabeth Langston (St. Simons), her brother Jaxon O'Dell Hice (St. Simons) and former husband Erv Davis (Darien). Jingle was the loving and generous mother of 4, Claudia Davis (St. Simons), Jim Davis (St. Simons), Ervin Davis (Darien) and Karl Davis (Athens). She was also a grandmother of 13 and great grandmother to 2. Not to mention, Jingle was a well-known and inspiring friend, colleague, mentor, marriage officiant, surrogate sister and mother to many others. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Simons Public Library or No Kill Glynn County in her memory.

A public family and friends gathering will be held at Neptune Park on St. Simons from 8-9 PM on Sunday June 18.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Davis family.