Henry McClelland Davidson, Jr., age 100 of Cottontown, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Mr. Davidson was born June 23, 1924, at St. Thomas Hospital, to the late Henry McClelland Davidson, Sr. and Rowena Ewing Lawrence Davidson of Nashville.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife of 56 years and the mother of his children, Elizabeth “Libby” Jane Hubbard Davidson; and brother, Lawrence Ewing Davidson.
He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Ann Thompson Davidson of Cottontown; son, Benjamin McClelland “Ben” Davidson (Nancy) of Nashville; daughter, Mary Sue “Susie” Davidson Farrell (Michael) of Cottontown; six grandchildren, Elizabeth Davidson Reavis (Craig); Clefton McClelland Davidson (Meredith); Lisa Marie Curtis; Andrew “Andy” McClelland Farrell (Melanie); Daniel Austin Farrell (Wendy Dixon); Amos Benjamin Farrell (Molly); and 14 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Davidson spent the formative years of his early life in both Nashville and Ridgetop, TN where he attended elementary school and developed an enduring love of the outdoors. He often reflected on halcyon days spent hunting, fishing, and trapping on the Harpeth River in Cheatham County with his childhood friend Wefel Matthews.
Mr. Davidson attended and ultimately graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy (MBA) in Nashville. At the time of his graduation in 1942 he worked for the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway company. In 1944, despite having a deferment, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and served in the 737th Railroad Operations Battalion during the liberation of Luzon, Philippines. In addition, he served in the occupation of Japan.
Returning home from the war, Mr. Davidson found work at Nashville Sporting Goods Co. on 8th Avenue downtown. During this time, he met and ultimately married Libby Hubbard of Nora, Kentucky. In 1956, he went to work for the new Ford Glass Plant on Centennial Boulevard and retired in 1988 after many years of dedicated service. In addition to his work at the glass plant, he raised beef cattle and Burley tobacco on his farm in Sumner County.
Never one to be idle, he was an avid collector who was one of the first vendors at the Nashville Flea Market. He traveled across the eastern United States where he sold (and bought!) items ranging from buttons and bullets to antique farm implements–and everything in between. He was well-known for his particular brand of wit and wisdom and was keenly interested in history related to Nashville and the surrounding area.
Interment will be at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on July 31, 2024, at 2:00 P.M.
A special thank you to the caregivers of Alive Hospice as well as for the many friends whose visits and correspondence buoyed his spirits in his last days. He remained curious and lively until the end.
Online condolences may be submitted at familyheritagefh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 111180, Nashville, TN 37222, Doctors Without Borders USA, 40 Rector Street, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10006, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Sellars Family Heritage at Gallatin, 100 E. Albert Gallatin Avenue, Gallatin, TN 37066. 615-452-7115. Obituary line 615-452-5900. E-mail: [email protected].
For more obituaries visit https://sumnercountysource.com/obituaries/
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