Lisa A. Davis Donation

(Paula Davis Family Photo Albums)

Lisa A. Davis has generously donated her grandmother's photo albums to the Newman Historical Society.  Lisa's grandmother was celebrated Newman resident Paula C. Davis (1911-2000).  Below you will find a transcript of the tribute article that was written upon the passing of Paula Davis along with photographs from the donated collection.

Community Leader Paula Davis, 88, Left Civic Legacy

The West Side Index, Newman, California, Thursday June 08, 2000

Paula Davis, whose tireless devotion to community volunteerism and civic service helped shape Newman in the 1960s and 1970s, died Sunday in Modesto.

She was 88.

Mrs. Davis left her mark on the community in many ways. 

She was the first woman to serve on the Newman City Council, a well-versed local historian and was an active member of numerous service clubs.

"She was very good on the council," said former mayor Hurd Barrington, who served with Mrs. Davis.  "She always put the city of Newman first, and had the city's best interests at heart."

Although her appointment to the council in 1967 made Mrs. Davis the first woman to serve on the council, Barrington recalled, there was no hesitancy on her part to delve into the issues at hand.

"She said it the way she thought it should be, " Barrington noted, "and most of the time she was right."

Janet Carlsen is another former mayor who learned much from Mrs. Davis.

Mrs. Davis served on the council until 1978; Carlsen joined the governing board in 1980.  

"I didn't really become acquainted with her until I had been on the council for a year or two,"  Carlsen said, "but we eventually became close friends.  She became like a mentor to me for many years.  She made me a better council member.

"She was a leader, a remarkable lady."

Mrs. Davis served on  the Planning Commission for seven years before being appointed to the council.  She was also active on the Stanislaus County Community Action Commission, Stanislaus Area Association of Governments and Stanislaus County Local Agency Formation Commission.

While she carved a niche in local government, Mrs. Davis was also among the community's foremost historians.

She was at the forefront of the successful effort to expand the Newman Museum, which was once confined to the basement of the former library building.

Mrs. Davis compiled the historic journal for the city's diamond jubilee celebration in 1963 - an effort which included gathering, cataloguing and identifying some 700 historic photos.

She also co-chaired the Bicentennial celebration in 1976, and helped compile information for the Orestimba reunions held every five years since 1985.

Mrs. Davis was instrumental in organizing the Orestimba 50-Plus Club and was active in Newman Woman's Club, Newman Garden Club, Gustine-Newman Soroptimists, St. James Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid.

Many community honors were presented to Mrs. Davis over the years.  She was honored as the Fall Festival's grand marshal, Newman Rotary Club Citizen of the Year and was a Centennial pioneer.  Mrs. Davis was named one of Stanislaus County's outstanding women and was named Woman of The Year for Supervisorial District 5.

Below you will find a collection of photographs from the Museum's archives - Click on the thumbnail pictures to enlarge to full size

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