Lonnie Davis remembered as community leader at dinner

Lonnie Davis was a good person, a friend and a mentor, said Eddie Moss during the event “In Memory of a Legend: Lonnie Davis” at Wheatley School on Saturday night.

“He stood tall,” said Moss. “We looked up to Lonnie. Whatever he said we did. He was approachable.”

Moss played for the NFL St. Louis Cardinals, is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame. He met Davis his freshmen year in the Wheatley gym. Davis was in his 50s. According to Moss, “He had a unique technique.”

Sam Mosley of New Albany, Miss., a songwriter for the Mosley and Johnson Band who has two Gold records, talks about how Lonnie Davis always encouraged him.DAR/Paul Davis

Describing him as a “gentle giant,” Moss said, “He would talk it out with you, what you had to do and why. It takes a village to raise a child and Lonnie was our village. Lonnie gave as well as he got.”

Moss recalls, desegregation in 1963 was a smooth transition in Poplar Bluff because of individuals like Davis.

When the two schools merged, Davis talked to the players after a game, Moss said, adding, “He would say, ‘you won but I think’ and he would challenge us. He always respected people.”

Ashley Matlock was the soloist for the event. DAR/Paul Davis

While Moss remembers Davis as an example, L. Joe Scott, local attorney and a University of Missouri basketball record holder, remembers Davis as a community leader and friend.

Scott recalled when towns had traveling community teams and Lonnie would go along and play. The local team went to another town and they would not allow Lonnie to come on the field. Lonnie being a peaceful man insisted the team play and he goes back to the truck during the game. When that team came to Poplar Bluff, Charlie Locke was pitching for the local team. Locke, who played professional baseball as a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns and Baltimore Orioles for nine years, hit the player from the opposing team who had caused the problem at the away game when he came to bat. When the inning was over and Charlie and Lonnie were in the dugout, Lonnie smiled and said, “Thank you Charlie.”

Scott also said, “the Blue Note was one place a teenager could not buy a beer. Lonnie was a man of his word.”

Francine Willougby (right) assists in lighting candles to honor Lonnie Davis. Willougby talked about Davis as a father figure saying he sowed seeds of positivity and independent thinking. She said, “the time we had with him was too short.”DAR/Paul Davis

“The Lord gave him a loving heart,” Scott said. “Outsiders wanted to stir up trouble. Lonnie Davis; he did not. He was a profound leader in this community. He made a difference. We need more leaders like him in the world. To me, he was my friend.”

Three Rivers College men’s basketball coach Gene Bess said when he was preparing to come to Poplar Bluff as an assistant for the Raiders he talked with Bus Carr, Bob Gray and Lonnie Davis. Bess called Davis a “great basketball player.”

“The Lonnie I know left us way too quick. He really appreciated Raider Basketball. I respected Lonnie Davis greatly,” Bess said. “Each year the Lonnie Davis award goes to the best student on the Raider team.”

Three Rivers College men’s basketball coach Gene Bess, left, and Rev. Ron Webb, pastor of Mount Calvary Power House Church, talk during dinner Saturday night. DAR/Paul Davis

Rex Rattler, representing the Wheatley Board, shared how he respected the legacy as well as the person. He called Davis a good man and a proud man.

Francine Willoughy talked about Davis as a father figure and Davis’ nephews shared their thoughts about having Davis in their lives.

The night also featured music including soloist Ashley Malock and Sam Mosley of New Albany, Miss., a songwriter for the Mosley and Johnson Band, who has two Gold records.

L. Joe Scott said Lonnie Davis was "a profound leader in this community. He made a difference. We need more leaders like him in the world. To me, he was my friend.” DAR/Paul Davis

“Lonnie always gave us encouragement to go on,” Mosley said.

Rev. Ron Webb, pastor of Mount Calvary Power House Church, was the master of ceremonies. Rev. Ronald McCain of Central Missionary Baptist Church blessed the food.

Poplar Bluff Mayor Pro Tem and council man at large Steve Davis presented a proclamation in remembrance from the all the citizens of honor Davis’ larger-than-life legacy.

Lennis McFerren, boys basketball coach at New Madrid County Central, speaks during the event. DAR/Paul Davis