Bells Superintendent Richard Davy dead at 50
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BELLS, Tenn. — Bells police believe high temperatures are suspected in the Monday death of school superintendent Richard Davy. By Tuesday morning, prayer requests and black bows have been added to the elementary school Davy worked at for the past four years. “Like most people in our community, we’re pretty shocked,” school board chair Gary Emison said. “He is an epitome of a true servant leader. He leads by example,” Principal Mark Wallace said of the man he also considered a mentor. Police said the death was from natural causes and an autopsy would not be conducted. According to school staff, Davy spent several hours working outside the school Monday putting out mulch on the pre-K playground. “We were in the office doing a normal day yesterday,” Wallace said. “Everything is as normal as possible, and at the end of the day our world’s been turned upside down.” EMS responded to the school around 2:30 in the afternoon after Davy collapsed inside his office. Police said by the time EMTs arrived Davy was unconscious but was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. Staff said Davy was not a typical educator. With nearly 30 years under his belt, he took his lessons beyond the classroom. “Mr. Davy meets our students at the door every morning,” Wallace said. “How many other director of schools are at the doorway meeting the children as they come through the door? He runs our book store. The children come up to him every morning and buy their pencils from him.” Staff said only a few weeks ago they were celebrating Davy’s 50th birthday. Emison said staff had a solid relationship with Davy. Facebook photos from Davy’s page show a wheelchair jokingly placed at his desk and a slew of door decorations commemorating the milestone birthday. The district said Davy will be a difficult man to replace. “We’ll take it one step at a time,” Emison said. Officials said the loss of Davy leaves heavy hearts throughout the entire community. Visitation will be held at the Bells Elementary School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the school. Wallace said Davy is survived by his wife and two sons.
