Former Samford University professor of Religion and well-known Alabama Baptist Preacher Vernon G. Davison died July 29 in Sterrett at the age of 94.
Davison served as a lifetime member of the board of directors for The Alabama Baptist newspaper, after beginning his service on the board in 1959. He also was named to “Who’s Who in America” and Who’s Who in the World.”
Davison came to Howard College (now Samford University) in 1939 as professor of religion. He retired from Samford in 1979 as chairman of the school of religious education.
Born and reared in Pineland, Texas, Davison graduated from Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. He received his master’s degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., in 1934 and his Ph.D. from there in 1939.
From 1943 to 1946 Davison was on leave from Samford serving as a chaplain in the United States Navy. He sailed primarily in the Pacific area. Following World War II he returned to his faculty position and in 1959 became head of the department, serving with distinction in this capacity until he retired.
While at Samford, Davison taught a wide variety of subjects but his major emphases were comparative religion, elementary Greek and Old Testament and New Testament survey. Davison was designated Distinguished Professor of Religion in 1977.
A popular professor with the students, Davison affectionately dubbed “Dr. D.”
He also was noted for his work with the ministerial association, especially as the moving spirit in the H-day (now Samford Sunday) program.
He and his wife of 69 years, Marjorie, traveled extensively around the world.
On Sabbatical leave, 1962-1963, he taught one semester in India at Serampore College and one semester at Hong Kong Baptist College.
While in these areas, he studied the cultures of Oriental civilizations and visited extensively in nearby Baptist mission stations. After that year, he returned as tour conductor for further study.
An active member of Ruhama Baptist Church in Birmingham, and Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood, Davison also served as interim pastor for churches throughout Alabama.
A popular preacher, Davison is quoted often by his former students. One example of his unique expressions is: “A student doesn’t begin to learn until he gets confused.” And he would add, “I’m a good confuser.”
“’Dr. D’ brought more than a stock of knowledge to our school; he has communicated a life and personality,” said the late Mabry Lunceford at Davison’s retirement from Samford. “It is likely that no other teacher here has had more students to return and … to continue contact in some way. His students literally minister around the world,” he said. “He will be quoted and remembered eternally.”
Davison’s survivors include his wife, one daughter and son-in-law, three grandsons and two great-grandsons.
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