|
Born to Carrie
and Andrew Davis, Sr. in Alexandria, Virginia in 1955. The fourth
of five boys. Lee was a very sickly baby, which really concerned
his parents. He was blessed to out grow his illness and became
a very active young man.
Neither his Mother
nor Dad finished middle school. His Mother worked as a house-keeper
at hotels and his Dad worked with the sanitation department on
Fort Belvoir Military base. Both parents were making minimum
wages.
Lee worked through
school to help out. He had a paper route when he was 12 years
old and his first job at 13 years old making $1.25 / hour washing
dishes at a local restaurant. He did not look for anyone to
give him anything. He had to earn it.
His was a loving
family with little resources living within the housing projects
of Alexandria, known as the Berge. He grew up knowing
very little outside the local neighborhood and area. This was
the world, as he knew it.
He loved school
and was very fond of math. Lee was always an Honor Student and
excelled in his studies. He enjoyed all sports but was average
compared to the others in the neighborhood i.e. Earl (the Pearl)
Cook, Mousie, Lion Face, Kenny Hawk etc. He worked very hard
(on the courts and fields) all night to compete with these guys.
His work ethic in football earned him a starting position on
T.C. Williamss varsity football team. Several players
who did not start may have been more athletic but not as hard
a worker.
His balance of
sports and academics definitely paid off in terms of opening
doors. Coach Herman Boone exposed him to Duke University and
the opportunities beyond the housing projects for which he will
always be indebted. (Coach Boone saw something in him). Lee
earned an academic scholarship to Duke University that covered
his tuition. Lee walked on the Duke Football Team and earned
a full scholarship from his work ethic on the field.
Lee wanted to
be a math teacher and coach. His academic advisor at Duke told
him of the many opportunities available to Blacks in Accounting
and Business. Lee decided to major in Accounting and was very
excited about the business world. Lee completed his Business/Accounting
major at Duke with a B average. After graduating
from Duke, Lee took his first job as a Cost Accountant with a
pharmaceutical company; American Hospital Supply in Georgia making
more money per year than his Dad ever earned. (He provides for
his Mom and Dad financially because they are special to him).
Lee attended Mercer University at night to work on his Masters
Degree in Business.
Lee is currently
employed with one of the worlds largest pharmaceutical
companies, Glaxo Wellcome where he is the US Research & Genetics,
Financial Manager who oversees an annual budget of over 125 million
dollars. He has been with the company the last 14 years.
Lee is married
to the lovely and adorable Scarlette Carter, graduate of T.C.
Williams. They have known each other since 8th grade but did
not communicate after graduation until the 10-year high school
reunion. They married a year later and are the proud parents
of 3 sons-Chris, Aarion and Capp. A God centered family who
loves and respects each other.
Lee is very active
in his community and church where he serves as a deacon, treasurer,
youth advisor, and Sunday school teacher. He just loves life
and thanks God everyday for his many blessings. Lees future
plans are to continue working with the youth, maybe some coaching
and to be financially independent with his own business. In
addition he would like to support and encourage our youth to
be the best that they can be. He will continue to encourage
his siblings to keep striving in life to achieve their goals.
Academics Achievements:
First grade teacher
Mrs. Watts inspired him to learn and love school
National Honor Society
Whos Who Among American High School Students
Graduate of T.C. Williams High School of Alexandria, Virginia
Academic Scholarship to Duke University of Durham, North Carolina
Majored in Accounting at Duke University
Attended Graduate School at Mercer University of Macon, Georgia
Athletic Achievements:
Lettermen in
High School
Football
Track
Basketball
Starting cornerback on National Championship Team
Co-Leader of team in interceptions (5)
All City
All District
All Regional
Earned Football
Scholarship at Duke University
Lettered at Duke in Football
Attended Duke with and competed against his high school team
mate and best friend, Earl Cook for starting position
Work ethic from Dad (he worked all the time and never saw Lee
play - gave Lee his jersey (#20) for the 25 year anniversary
of championship team -what a surprise for Lee)
Prayed every night before a game that no one would catch a pass
over him for a touchdown. (only 1 in high school career)
Team Achievements:
The championship
team had a divine purpose, which is the reason we are still talked
about, 30 years later.
Everlasting friendships and brotherhood
So proud to be a Titan
Volunteer Community
Activities:
Treasurer, Executive
Board of North Carolina Association of Biomedical Research
Treasurer, Wake Chapel Church
Advisory Board of New Beginnings Transitional Housing Program
for Women and Women with children
National Association of Accountants
Lee Monk Davis died in 2006.
|