Lion of the Week
Joey Davis
[Back}Joey was graduated from Franklin High School in 1958. He has attended courses at the University of Maryland, at Columbia State Community College, at the University of Tennessee and at other schools, completed the U. S. Postal service Advanced Management School and took a number of training courses while a member of the U. S. Navy.
Joey spent ten and a half years on active duty in the Navy. He became a First Class Petty Officer as a Communications Technician. While in the Navy he spent a year at the U. S. Army Language School in Monterey, California, which is now the Defense Language Institute, studying Russian. He then was sent to Morocco and was there during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After Morocco Joey went back to school in Monterey and studied Turkish for another year. He was then transferred to the National Security Agency in Maryland. While there he suffered an injury to his knee that resulted in hospitalization for a year and ultimately a medical discharge.
During his first tour in Monterey he met and married Lena Balesteri. Lena was a lifetime Monterey resident and a graduate of Monterey High School. She accompanied him to Morocco. They have three sons. The first two were born in Africa. The youngest was born in Maryland. The oldest, Jimmy Davis, now lives in the Leipers Fork community. He is an aeronautical engineer. He is married to the former Phoebe Pewitt and has twin sons, Calvin and Cody, who are 9 years old. Their middle son is Richard Davis. Richard is the supervisor over the convenience centers for Williamson County. Richard married Julie Newman and they reside on Boy Scout Road. They have a son Joshua, who is six years old, and a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, who is two. Their youngest son, Todd Davis, works in maintenance for Williamson County as the county locksmith. Todd lives on Clausen Court and is married to Vivian Burkett who works for Prime Trust.
After returning to Franklin, Joey was employed for several years by the United States Postal Service and retired in 1992. Joey and his family purchased Toby’s Chicken Kitchen in 1993 and kept the restaurant in the family until 1998. In 1994 he ran for the office of Trustee, was elected, and has continued to serve in that office to this date. He describes himself as a "half banker". He collects property taxes for Williamson County, Franklin 9th Special School District, the City of Nolensville and the City of Thompson’s Station, accounts and disburses all revenues collected, and invests temporary idle funds for Williamson County.
Soon after the family returned to Williamson County, Lena started a successful career with C.P.S. Industries, Franklin's largest employer at the time. She rose to become the executive secretary to the President of the Company. She continued to hold that job through four different Presidencies as the company changed hands from time to time.
The Trustee position keeps Joey busy. But he makes time to devote to service organizations. In addition to the Lions Club he is a member of the Williamson County Franklin Chamber of Commerce, Williamson County Crime Stoppers, President of My Friends House Board of Directors, has served on the Board of Directors of the Child Advocacy Center, past President of the Franklin Optimist Club, past Board Member of the United Way of Williamson County and numerous other community non-profits. He and his wife are members of the West Main Church of Christ where he also serves as Treasurer. His hobbies in his "spare time" are gardening and yard work. He is very proud to be “Pops” to his 4 grandchildren. Lena and he have the pleasure of keeping all four of them most Friday nights for a sleep over. He says, “We love to have them on Friday nights and we love to see their parents coming on Saturday.”
Joey joined the Lions Club about 13 years ago. He has been President two times, has served as tail twister, and has served on several different committees. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors as Past President. He was on the inaugural committee that started Franklin on the Fourth, one of the clubs largest activities. Joey is a Lion for at least two major reasons. First he believes that citizens should involve themselves in meaningful public service and he sees the Lions as an important service organization. Beyond that, he continues to be active because of the people who are members of the club. He appreciates and enjoys the camaraderie of the club.
Joey has been recognized in a number of ways for his service. He has been named by his peers as the Tennessee Trustee of the Year for 2004-2005. His peers have also named him as the outstanding Trustee of Middle Tennessee. He has been designated as a Melvin Jones Fellow, one of the most prestigious awards of the Lions Club, and has also received other awards and recognitions from the club through the years of service.
Recently when the club was at low ebb Joey stepped forward and assumed the presidency for the balance of that year. His energy and commitment put the club on a positive path of growth and vitality. Joey Davis is an exemplary Lion of the Week.
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