Martha Ellen “Marty” Davis

Published 7:03 pm Friday, December 11, 2020

Martha Ellen “Marty” Davis, 75, of LaGrange, Georgia was born July 23, 1945, in Greer, South Carolina, to the late Hoke McCara Davis and Ruth Annie Adams Davis.  She graduated from Greer High School in 1963 and received a Bachelors degree in music education/voice from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 1967.  Her tremendous work ethic was instilled at an early age delivering papers every morning in Greer.

Her musical career led her to sing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Atlanta Symphony Chorus, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.  A great deal of her training was from renowned conductor Robert Shaw.

Ms. Davis had lived in LaGrange, Georgia over 30 years and made her mark on the community by instilling a love of music in thousands of students during her career as a music teacher and director of the LaGrange High School Chorus program from 1990-2007.  Her work ethic and dedication as founder and creator of the LHS Spring Concert brought an elite music education to not only her students but also the entire community.  Even after her retirement, she had a way of bringing out the best in others, especially among the hundreds of voice students that she worked with in her home studio.  Her students brought her joy, and she loved them all dearly.

She also served as the vocal coach and artistic assistant for the Young Singers of West Georgia for the past 13 years and was co-founder of the annual Christmas Memories Concert with Stacey Hardigree.  She was a former Music Director at First Presbyterian Church in LaGrange and had served faithfully as the Music Director at Loyd Presbyterian Church since 2007.  In her retirement, Marty sang major classical works with the Columbus State Choral Union under the direction of Constantina Tsolainou.  This gave her great joy, and she was even able to sing alongside some of her former students.  Through the years, her choirs and voice students were featured in the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s December concerts.

She is survived by her sister in law, Gwen Davis; nephew, Chad Davis; great niece, Anna Davis, all of Greer, South Carolina; many special friends and students; her church family; and her canine companion and her best friend, Gabriel.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Gerald Davis and beloved canine companion, Beethoven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in memory of Marty Davis to Young Singers of West Georgia, % LSPA P.O. Box 1448, LaGrange, Georgia 30241.  These gifts will foster the continuation of Marty’s legacy of educating music students in the LaGrange area.

Due to COVID restrictions, there will not be a memorial service at this time; however, a memorial concert to celebrate the life of Marty Davis will be planned in the coming months.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, Georgia 30240 (706)884-8636.