Ernest Davis

Ernest Burroughs Davis, 88, of Alpharetta, passed into glory August 6, 2008.

Born in Danielsville, to the late James Wiley and Lora Burroughs Davis, he was a graduate of Commercial High School in Atlanta and a graduate of Georgia State University. He began his career as fiscal officer for the state health department. He served as president of the Georgia Public Health Association and was appointed as the state of Georgia’s first budget officer in July 1962. He was then appointed by Gov. Carl Sanders as the state’s second state auditor and served from 1964-1976. He was appointed as founding executive director of the Georgia World Congress Center in 1976 and served until 1978. He then was appointed executive director of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and served until 1984. He served on the State Properties Commission, the State depository Board, Jekyll Island Authority, Georgia Building Authority, Employees’ Retirement System and the Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission. He was also a member of the board of directors of INVESCO.

Mr. Davis saw heavy action, serving as sergeant major in the Rhineland and Central Europe during WW II. He was a member of John’s Creek Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and enjoyed gardening, woodworking, reading, bird hunting and golf.

Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Bebe (Mary Louis) Davis; daughters and sons-in-law, Lane (William) Sauser, Auburn, Ala., and Lauren (Randy) Smith, Marietta; grandchildren, Greg Smith, Athens, and Alicia Smith, Marietta; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, James Wiley Davis, Jr.