Public Records & Notices Monitoring local real estate since 1968 View a complete day’s public records Subscribe Presented by and notices today for our at memphisdailynews.com. free report www.chandlerreports.com Friday, May 15, 2020 MemphisDailyNews.com Vol. 135 | No. 73 Rack–50¢/Delivery–39¢ Fred Davis, charter city council member and black business advocate, dies at 86 BILL DRIES at the corner of Park Avenue and agency in six states and one of the council district that was majority organization that produced the Courtesy of The Daily Memphian Airways Boulevard in 1967, the first black-owned insurance agen- white in a city that was still rig- first generations of elected black Fred Davis, one of the charter same year that he was elected to cies that was independent of the idly racially segregated by politi- leaders in a city where the Shelby Memphis City Council members the council in the first elections to national insurance companies. cal practice and social custom if County Democratic Party was and a business leader, died Tues- fill positions in the mayor-council Prior to running for the coun- not by law. dominated by white political lead- day, May 12, at his Memphis home form of government. cil, Davis and his wife, Ella Single- Davis was part of the Shel- ers and local politics featured the at the age of 86. Davis opened the The insurance agency was ton Davis, were active in the local by County Democratic Club – Fred L. Davis Insurance Agency the first black-owned insurance civil rights movement. He ran in a the African-American political FRED DAVIS CONTINUED ON P2 the Bible and Christian faith, a passion of Don’s. “It was a way of offering to the community a fresh look at the history of the Bible, the context of Bible Museum closes doors the Bible,” she said. He wanted people to know “these weren’t just made up stories,” Bassett recalled.The museum had replicas of the Rosetta Stone, the Moabite stone after 25 years in Collierville and the Gutenberg printing press. Additionally, ar- tifacts on display dated to the Israelites’ Egyptian enslavement.“He really felt like our young people needed to see these evidences — that they’re out there,” she said. “It was a way to bring key artifacts from across the world.”“It wasn’t there to be an evangelical Christian movement,” said Collierville School Board member Wright Cox, who served on the museum board. “It was there to expose people to the Bible.”The organization began in May 1995. Bassett recalls her husband and Carter wanted bet- ter biblical educational resources and programs for young people. As Carter began to talk with Don Bas- sett, Nancy Bassett realized they wanted to start a museum.“We wanted to offer information for a stu- dent of the Bible or teacher of the Bible,” she said.At that time, she was working at the Carter House, a historic Civil War site in Franklin, Tennessee. She was able to offer additional insight about a museum due to her background at the historical site. They relocated to Collierville for the venture. They spent the first two years securing some of the artifacts, setting policies and guidelines. In 1997, the Biblical Resource Center opened on Poplar View Parkway. Originally, they thought a few people would come for research, but soon it grew to reach more people. “A lot of the focus was on young people, on chil- dren,” Cox said. While people of all ages enjoyed the museum’s offerings, YMCA camps, school groups and others would come. One enjoyable children’s The Bible Museum on the Square seen on Sept. 13, 2018, has closed its doors after 25 years. The museum board decided earlier this event was a simulated archaeological dig. year to close the location even before coronavirus gripped the Memphis area. (Patrick Lantrip/Courtesy of The Daily Memphian) The staff would bury broken flower pots and other items representing biblical events to teach ABIGAIL WARREN But no longer. “It’s bittersweet,” said Nancy Bas- children about historical excavation. Hands-on ac- Courtesy of The Daily Memphian The Bible Museum on the Square sett, whose late husband Don, along with tivities helped interest children, Bassett said. For 25 years, resources dedicated emptied its contents in April. The mu- B’Lou Carter, founded the organization They would also dress up to talk about biblical to teaching people the historical con- seum board decided earlier this year to 25 years ago. events, which delighted children. text of biblical events were accessible in close the location even before coronavi- The museum’s goal was to help teach Collierville. rus gripped the Memphis area. young people the historical support of BIBLE CONTINUED ON P2 INSIDE Public Records ................ 4 Public Notices ............... 13 memphisdailynews.com chandlerreports.com Marriage licenses are unavailable ©2020 The Daily News Publishing Company A division of The Daily News Publishing Company while Shelby County Clerk’s O ce Memphis, Tennessee The standard for premium real estate Established 1886 • 135th year information since 1968 reviews internal policies for its digital Call 901.523.1561 to subscribe Call 901.458.6419 for more information platforms. Page 2 MemphisDailyNews.com Friday, May 15, 2020 BIBLE CONTINUED FROM P1 in 2016, and no one had his heart A small fire in the first loca- and passion for the museum, ac- tion caused smoke damage. The cording to board members.“When artifacts were not seriously dam- he died, a part of the museum died aged because most were stone. with him,” Cox said. “The heart At that time, they worked out of and soul of the Bible Museum were their home for a few years.“We Don and Nancy Bassett. Don was even had a couple digs in our back a driving force. He had a passion yard,” Bassett said from her home for it to expose the community to on Rowlett Street.In November the Bible.” 2003, they opened on the square, Lewellen echoed Cox’s investing more than $100,000 to thoughts. “We learned we weren’t repurpose and improve the former able to do what Don Bassett was fireplace shop.“I think it opened able to do, which is just a compli- some doors for us,” she said of ment to what he was able to do,” the location in the historic area. Lewellen said. It was the only Bible Museum on Artifacts displayed have found a town square. In that location, it new homes across the country. “I was rebranded as Bible Museum felt so good about everything go- on the Square. “It was such a great ing to these Christian venues and thing to have on the square,” said non-profits,” she said. “They will James Lewellen, town adminis- continue to teach people about trator who served on the board. the Bible. … To know they are go- “It meant a lot to the square.” In ing to (the various locations), I feel addition to the brick and mortar really good about that.”She said museum, they offered group trips she has peace about the closure to Egypt. Additionally, books and and all reached by the ministry resources were available for re- in its 25 years. search.In the last few years, visi- “Everything has a time and a tation decreased and funds were season,” Cox said. “It was a one harder to gather. Additionally, of a kind place for Collierville. … The Bible Museum on the Square in Collierville focused on artifacts and settings that connect the Bible to Don Bassett died unexpectedly Part of the fabric our community.” historical record. (Patrick Lantrip/Courtesy of The Daily Memphian) FRED DAVIS CONTINUED FROM P1 Martin Luther King Jr. to the strike and to the city, where he was assassinated.Davis most enduring racial divide in the city.The marched with strikers and was at Mason district that included Orange Mound where Temple April 3, 1968 as King made what Davis lived and worked was close enough in would be his last speech — what is referred its racial margin that Davis won by seeking to as “The Mountaintop” speech.As a mem- white votes as well as black votes in a cam- ber of the council he was also criticized for paign that labeled him as a moderate.The being part of the city’s establishment even council district boundaries had been drawn as he advocated for the striking workers with two districts likely to elect African- from his council seat and toward a settle- American citizens to the seats because of ment that wouldn’t come until King had the racial majorities within them. died violently.Davis served 12 years on the Davis’s election was unexpected and council, being re-elected twice after the brought the racial balance on the council tumultuous first term and serving as the to 10 white citizens and three black citizens. first black chairman of the council in 1972. While the other two black members of Democratic state Representative G.A. the first city council, J.O. Patterson Jr. and Hardaway referred to Davis as “our forever James Netters, were ministers, Davis was a councilman” for the Orange Mound area business owner with that part of his back- and “inspiration” black political leaders, in Fred L. Davis in front of his insurance Agency in Orange Mound in 2015. Davis was a charter ground more similar to most of the white a statement from the Tennessee Black Cau- city council member. (Courtesy of The Daily Memphian) members of the body.He was a vocal advo- cus of State Legislators.“Davis was proud of cate of black-owned businesses having a the fact that he never left Orange Mound, share of government contracts and private Davis with being “the father and a vision- for.