Celebrating the Life

of

Dr. Arthur LaCurtiss David

Sunrise April 13, 1938

Sunset February 1, 2013 Tuesday, February 5, 2013 12:00 Noon

Lane College Gymnasium 545 Lane Avenue Jackson, Tennessee 38301 Rev. James G. Dowell, Officiating Bishop William H. Graves, Sr., Eulogist Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, Presiding Bishop

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PRAISE THE LORD MY FRIENDS

(TUNE OF BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC) Come sing the praises of our God, let every heart rejoice. We are listening daily to the beauty of our saviors voice He will give us all the gift of love, for He alone is God. And He will not forsake. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Lift God for all to see. I am praising God wherever I go, His love for man wont stall. I will praise Him when I seem to rise and praise Him when I fall. His love for man shall be my cry, no other name I know. Ill praise our God today. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Lift God for all to see. When the CMEs are marching forth, let no one doubt our praise. CMEs sing hallelujah as we think of Gods pure grace. Come forth from every venue, come forth from every place. Come forth and sing Gods praise. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Praise the Lord my friends, Just praise Him while you can. Lift God for all to see.
Written by . Dr. Arthur L. David, April, 2006 St. Paul C.M.E. Church Jackson, Tennessee 38301 1-731-613-7010

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Historical Legacy
Dr. Arthur L. David, a native of the state of Illinois was born on April 13, 1938. His parents were Carey Henry David, Sr. and Annetta Rosemary Hawk David. He was the third child of seven; Cary Henry David, Jr. of Chicago, IL, Antoinette David Jefferson (Chicago, IL-deceased), Shalaymiah Melanie David of Israel, James Clarence David (Chicago, IL-deceased), Antonio Butch David (Milan, TN deceased) and Celeste David of Chicago, IL. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Sean LaCurtiss David, II. Arthur was a graduate of the Tilden Technical High School of the city of Chicago. He began his collegiate achievements graduating from Lane College having high honors with a B.A. degree. He also graduated from Phillips School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree; and from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with the Master of Arts degree (History). He was proud to be the first African-American to receive a doctoral degree from The Middle Tennessee State University with a Doctor of Arts degree (History). His love for knowledge led him to do further studies at the University of Memphis, the University of Tennessee, the University of Missouri at Rolla, and Jackson State Community College. Dr. David was called into the ministry at the age of fifteen. He has been pastoring for more than fifty-five years. He pastored churches in Georgia, Nebraska, and Tennessee. In addition to his pastoral history, Dr. David has been an academician for more than fifty years as a part of the Lane College family. He served in every capacity at the college including Instructor of Religion and Dean of the Chapel, Assistant Professor, Exchange Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, Chairperson of the Social Sciences Division, Dean of the College, and Interim President in 1992. Dear Lane, He loved you, loved you well!!! In addition to his service at Lane College, Dr. David was a part of the faculty at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Motlow State Community College, and Middle Tennessee State University as a teaching assistant. He was the first person elected by the Board of Trustees of Lane College as a Professor Emeritus, one of the most distinguished honors an academician can receive. He was married for more than fifty-two years to Mrs. Martha Sue Barham David. The Davids are the parents of two children, Alexis Raenise David Womack (Bryan Keith I) and Sean LaCurtiss David (Emily). They have four beautiful grandchildren who are loved very dearly, including Bryan Keith Womack II, Sarah RaeSean Antoinette Womack, Sean LaCurtiss David III, and Arthur LaCurtiss David II. Dr. and Mrs. David are loved by many and have a large extended family. They have adopted children from every walk of their life. Their Godsons include Tim Dance, Brian Dance, Sam Dance, C. J. Dance, Will Smith, Kenneth Staten, Alfred Townsend, Alton Coleman, Gary Bills and Marcus Dowdy. Their God-daughters are Clarice Cunningham, Marilyn Adams, Helen Wade, Belinda Cooper, Johnna Cosby Webster, Octavia Lindsey, KaNiesha Robertson, Cicely Floyd Mason, Dr. Maria Williamson-Dennis, Mozell Nervis, Jasmine Perry and Janice Townsend. They also have a loving Godsister, Dorothy Dance; a loving aunt, Dorothy Sue Reynolds; devoted niece, Jacqueline Barham Stennis; supportive cousins, Colleen Scott and LaTonya Scott Wynne. His memberships in civic and social organizations are extensive. To name a few, he is a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band fraternity, the Sigma Theta Epsilon Christian Service fraternity, the Phi Alpha Theta Honor society for historians, the Pi Gamma Mu Honor society for social scientists, the NAACP, and The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Dr. David was an author, a lecturer, an educator, a minister, a true and dynamic spirit of God. He was husband, father, brother, uncle, relative and friend. He never sought honor or recognition. He often stated to friends and family let the work Ive done, speak for me. His influence and respect certainly speak for him.

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The Order of Service

Rev. James G. Dowell, Officiating

The Processional and Family Viewing The Opening Hymn .......................................................................................... My Hope Is Built The Affirmation of Faith ..................................................................................................... Unison I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only begotten son: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen. The Prayer ....................................................................................... Bishop Ronald Cunningham The Old Testament Scripture (Psalms 34:1-8).................................. Rev. Carmicheal Crutchfield The Gloria Patri ................................................................................................................. Unison The New Testament Scriptures Gospel (John 14:1-6) ............................................................................ Rev. Louis T. Purham Epistle (1 Peter 5:7-11) ................................................................................... Rev. Will Smith The Acknowledgements and Resolutions ........................................................Rev. Leo Douglass The Remarks (2 minutes, please)........... Bishop Nathaniel Bonds (Deliverance House of Prayer) Bro. Gary Taylor (Mens Interfaith Bible Study Leader) Bishop E. Lynn Brown Sis. Alice Hooker (Dyer Connection) The Musical Selection .......................................................... Mrs. Blalock & The St. Paul Singers The Remarks (2 minutes, please).............................. Rev. Ramsey ODaniel (son in the ministry) Tuscaloosa, AL, Pastor of Christ Baptist Church Bro. Clarence Boone (Salem CME/Fraternity Brother) Special Remarks Bishop Lawrence Reddick, III (1st Episcopal District) The Musical Selection ................................................................................... Blairs Chapel Choir The Eulogy ..................................................................................... Bishop William H. Graves, Sr. The Musical Selection ...................................... Bro. William Graves, Jr. and Sis. Ameera Graves The Closing Prayer.......................................................................................Rev. Darryl Coleman Recessional

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Tribute for Granddaddy

Dr. Arthur L. David has touched so many lives during his seventy-four years on this earth. He inspired people in the church as a preacher, the colleges as a student and teacher, and even found time to impress his Coke-bottle waisted sweetheart from Milan, Martha Sue. It is important to note, however, that Dr. Davids influence did not stop there. His influence does not halt in the halls and classrooms in universities around the nation. His influence goes far past the pulpits and bible studies in chapels in the state of Tennessee. And his influence stretches from generation to generation. Many people can attest to his vigor in many different areas, but only four of us can testify to the title in which he especially took much pride: our Grandfather. It is very evident the mark he has left on each of our lives. We will each carry a piece of granddaddy as we continue through our lives. Arthur Lacurtiss David, II not only carries his name, but carries many of his characteristics. He literally took his name. Anytime he was asked his Granddaddys name, he simply replied, Grandaddy. Arthur also carries the wisdom beyond his years, without the grey curly hair. Arthur definitely carries his love and kindness. Just like his granddaddy, Little Arthur is friendly to anyone he meets. Ironically, the younger Arthur also has his grandfathers hands. Granddaddy used his hands the same way Arthur does: for a greeting handshake, an encouraging pat on the back, or a much needed embrace. Sean Lacurtiss David III, or Junior Bug as Granddaddy affectionately called him, also carries a significant piece of his grandfather. Sean loves reading and learning new words. Dr. David loved words and was an avid reader of books. Junior and Granddaddy both love sci-fi movies. They seemed to know every fact about Star Wars or Star Trek. He loved to teach us vocabulary words. Junior also has the wit and humor of Granddaddy. As you know, Granddaddy never hesitated to make someone laugh with a joke. Sarah RaeSean Antoinette Womack was Granddaddys only granddaughter. Holding a special place in his heart, probably, because she is so much like Grandma too. Sarah was able to see the tenderness of his love. Sarah also carries characteristics of him. Sarah is unrattled, unshaken and calm in the face of adversity. Granddaddy never seemed to let anything bother him. He was always in control. In the same way, Sarah shows granddaddys strength by embracing challenges whether she is on the basketball court, softball field or the classroom. As for me, Bryan Keith Womack II, I have learned so much from my Granddaddy in eighteen years with him. I have many memories of our talks about history, sports, school, and girls (He had to show me that he had a little game). Granddaddy has left me with some attributes as well. I have developed his ambition, thirst for knowledge and his love for speaking. His relationship with God opened my eyes, and caused me to develop my own relationship with the Lord. Ever since I was little, I imitated him. I always looked up to him as the man I wanted to be. He was my hero He has definitely made an undeniable difference in my life. Granddaddy was our motivator, teacher, mentor, and friend. But Granddaddy IS the reason why we will go forward. In his last letter to me, Granddaddy wrote me encouragement after my graduation. In the letter he told me to Go on. Go on. Go on. And so today, we will go on. We will go on with everything you have taught us. We will go on each carrying a piece of you. And we will go on knowing that you watch us with pride and love. We hope we will continue to make you proud. We love you.

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Casketbearers
Rev. Paul Lacy Rev. Joe Woodson Rev. Varnel Womack Rev. Thomas Kirby Rev. Anthony Menzies Bro. Samuel Mitchell

Honorary Casketbearers
Rev. Willie Adams Rev. Sammy Hankins Rev. Edward McKelvy Rev. Nathanial Carter Rev. James Brown

Flowerbearers
Ministers Wives Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Members of the Red Hatters Club

Acknowledgement
The family of Dr. Arthur L. David would like to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of love, caring, and support during this difficult period of bereavement. Every phone call, note of encouragement and loving embrace has helped to strengthen us. Your fervent prayers are sustaining us. May God Bless You and Keep you Always.

With love and appreciation

The David Family

Interment
Cloverdale Cemetery Milan, Tennessee

Repast
Lane College Cafeteria Jackson, Tennessee Services Entrusted to: BLEDSOE FUNERAL HOME, INC.

256 MIDDLETON STREET JACKSON, TN 38301 PH: (731) 427-1521 | FAX: (731) 427-1522 www.bledsoefuneralservicesinc.com Programs by Bledsoe Funeral Home