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'''James Houston Davis''', known as '''Jimmie Davis''' (September 11, 1899 – November 5, 2000), was a famous gospel and popular music singer who served two non-consecutive terms as a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[governor]] of his native [[Louisiana]], 1944 to 1948 and 1960 to 1964.

'''James Houston Davis''', known as '''Jimmie Davis''' (September 11, 1899 – November 5, 2000), was a famous gospel and popular music singer who served two non-consecutive terms as a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[governor]] of his native [[Louisiana]], 1944 to 1948 and 1960 to 1964.

Davis has the distinction of having been succeeded and preceded as governor by his intra-party rival, [[Earl Long]], brother of [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]] His famous song, "You Are My Sunshine," became associated with his political career as well. He was often called the "peace and harmony" candidate for his low-key demeanor and as a spokesman for the anti-Long faction. Though he was a segregationist, Davis in the fall of 1960 was the governor when the first racial integration of public schools occurred in Louisiana at two elementary schools in the 9th Ward of [[New Orleans]].

Davis has the distinction of having been succeeded and preceded as governor by his intra-party rival, [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], brother of [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]] His famous song, "You Are My Sunshine," became associated with his political career as well. He was often called the "peace and harmony" candidate for his low-key demeanor and as a spokesman for the anti-Long faction. Though he was a segregationist, Davis in the fall of 1960 was the governor when the first racial integration of public schools occurred in Louisiana at two elementary schools in the 9th Ward of [[New Orleans]]. In his second race for governor in 1959 and 1960, Davis defeated in a runoff [[Chep Morrison|deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison, Sr.]], the mayor of New Orleans from 1946 to 1961.

Davis was born in poverty in Quitman near Jonesboro in Jackson Parish in north Louisiana. He is interred beside his first wife, the former Alverna Adams, at the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Cemetery east of Jonesboro in Jackson Parish. His son, James William "Jim" Davis (1944-2012), was a farmer from Newellton in Tensas Parish in northeastern Louisiana, where the former governor owned considerable property.  

Davis was born in poverty in Quitman near Jonesboro in Jackson Parish in north Louisiana. He is interred beside his first wife, the former Alverna Adams, at the Jimmie Davis Tabernacle Cemetery east of Jonesboro in Jackson Parish. His son, James William "Jim" Davis (1944-2012), was a farmer from Newellton in Tensas Parish in northeastern Louisiana, where the former governor owned considerable property.  

One of Davis' nieces, Kitty D. Fannin, is married to former state Senator [[James R. Fannin]] of District 35.

One of Davis' nieces, Kitty D. Fannin, is married to former state Representative and state Senator [[James R. Fannin]] of District 35.

==See also==

==See also==