Family and friends came together at Emmanuel Baptist Church October 4, on a somber Friday morning with gray and misty skies, to pay their final respects to Blackshear’s Assistant Fire Chief Leon Davis.
Davis had died as he lived, a firefighter, fall-ing in the line of duty September 27 as Hurricane Helene tore through Pierce County. Answering a call in the dark hours of night, while other residents huddled in the homes, Davis had finished clearing away some downed powerlines and returned to his vehicle. Mo-ments later, a tree felled by the storm landed upon him and his vehicle.
More than just family attended the ceremony to mark his passing. An assemblage of fellow firefighters and other first responders also showed up in force to express their deep respect for a man who gave his all for the community in which he had lived.
Of course, the Blackshear and Pierce County Fire Departments arrived to honor the departed Davis. What was significant was just how many other communities were represented by both their city and county fire departments coming to pay their respects. A parade of names was visible, stitched upon the uniformed shoulders of those mourning in the pews and emblazoned upon the fire engines in the parking lot outside: Charlton, Brantley, Camden, Screven, Waynesville, Charlton, Hoboken, Calvary, Ware, Clay County, FL and more.
Music included “I Thought He Walked on Water” by Randy Travis, “One More Day” by Diamond Rio and “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe. A bagpiper played Antonin Dvorak’s lament “Going Home”.
The Rev. Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel, preached the funeral and Blackshear Fire Chief Bucky Goble gave a eulogy.
Stone assured those gathered that Davis’s vocation embodied the living ideal of Matthew 23:11-12, “The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” He said he had three important things to do that gray mornging, “Honor this wonderful life, comfort this precious family, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Stone also spoke of the fallen firefighter’s grieving wife and said, “When I asked her to describe her precious husband, she said in a single word, awesome. He was a kind and caring man, he did everything for me.” Moving on to elaborate upon themes of love and selfsacrifice Stone drew another fitting parellel, citing John 15:12-13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.”
As Stone ended the service, the first responders began to file out in silence, taking their places outside as an honor guard.
Inescapably prominent upon exiting the church were the twin ladders of the St. Marys and Kingsland Fire Departments, crossed before Emmanuel’s steeple to form the arch beneath which the honored dead would pass. Twin uniformed ranks of fellow first responders saluted Davis as his fire-engine red casket was loaded into the hearse.
As the pallbearers carried the casket beneath the arch formed by the crossed ladders a gentle rain began to fall almost like tears. The wail of sirens from the fire engines, police vehicles and ambulances escorting Davis to Blackshear City Cemetery had a mournful quality, the howling of wolves grieving a lost member of their pack. Yet, as family, friends and firefighters began to gather at graveside, the rain abated and the sunlight broke through.
Crackling from a speaker, the last call from dispatch was issued for 1202, Davis’s call sign. Then, a silver bell was struck, ringing out the code of 5-5-5, the code for a firefighter returning home. Many who are unafraid to risk life and limb for others were equally unafraid to let tears fall for their fallen brother.
Perhaps some of them were thinking of The Fireman’s Prayer, prominently featured in the funeral program beside images of Davis in life: “When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child before it is too late, or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property.
And if, according to your will, I am to lose my life, please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.”
What followed was an earthly expression of those final lines. The helmet of Leon Davis was formally pre-sented to his wife of 47 years, Shirley, and a long line of hugs and condolences commenced, his fellow heroes seeking to comfort and reassure the Davis family.
The watch of Assistant Fire Chief Leon Davis had ended and he was called to his eternal, heavenly home, but none of those gathered are likely to forget him.
Crossed ladders of two long trucks from the Kingsland and St. Marys Fire departments formed an arch of honor for Asstistant Fire Chief Davis’s final journey. Photo by Greg O’Driscoll
