Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. - Personal Life

Personal Life

Davis married Elnora Dickerson in 1902—the two had known each other as neighbors for many years. Their first child was born in 1905: daughter Olive Davis. A son was born in 1912: Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. In early 1916 a second daughter was born, but Davis's wife died a few days later from complications of childbirth. The daughter was named for her: Elnora Davis. Without a mother for the children, Davis relied upon the grandparents in Washington, D.C., for childcare while he was serving a tour of duty in the Philippines. In 1919 Davis married Sarah "Sadie" Overton, an English teacher at Wilberforce University. They were married 47 years, the partnership ending at Sadie's death on October 25, 1966.

Davis's son became the first black general officer of the United States Air Force in October 1954.

Read more about this topic:  Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.

Famous quotes containing the words personal and/or life:

    Most personal correspondence of today consists of letters the first half of which are given over to an indexed statement of why the writer hasn’t written before, followed by one paragraph of small talk, with the remainder devoted to reasons why it is imperative that the letter be brought to a close.
    Robert Benchley (1889–1945)

    And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief;
    William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878)