Musician, Louisiana Governor. He was a singer and guitar player best known as the composer of one of America's best loved songs, ''You Are My Sunshine'' (1940). Before entering politics, he had a commercially successful career in country music with hits including "Nobody's Darling but Mine", "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland", "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky", "Is It Too Late Now" and many more. In 1944, he was elected as a Democrat as the 47th governor of Louisiana. He was again elected governor of Louisiana, serving from 1960 to 1964. During his first term in office, he established a State Retirement System and funding of more than $100 million in public improvements while leaving the state with a $38 million surplus. In his second term, the Sunshine Bridge was built, new hospitals were built, and roads were improved; he also raised teachers' salaries and set up the state's first civil service system. He died of natural causes at age of 101. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame. In 1999, "You Are My Sunshine" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award as one of the best songs of the century, and "You Are My Sunshine" was ranked number 73 on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music in 2003.
Musician, Louisiana Governor. He was a singer and guitar player best known as the composer of one of America's best loved songs, ''You Are My Sunshine'' (1940). Before entering politics, he had a commercially successful career in country music with hits including "Nobody's Darling but Mine", "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland", "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky", "Is It Too Late Now" and many more. In 1944, he was elected as a Democrat as the 47th governor of Louisiana. He was again elected governor of Louisiana, serving from 1960 to 1964. During his first term in office, he established a State Retirement System and funding of more than $100 million in public improvements while leaving the state with a $38 million surplus. In his second term, the Sunshine Bridge was built, new hospitals were built, and roads were improved; he also raised teachers' salaries and set up the state's first civil service system. He died of natural causes at age of 101. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame. In 1999, "You Are My Sunshine" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award as one of the best songs of the century, and "You Are My Sunshine" was ranked number 73 on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music in 2003.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
Gov. Jimmie Davis
Son of Jones and Elizabeth Davis
1899-2000
Governor 1944-1948
Governor 1960-1964
You are my sunshine
1930
"... Tho' I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."
I'll see you on the other side
Family Members
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