HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8

(By Delegates Cooper, Smith, Haynes, Toney, and Maynor)

[Introduced January 12, 2022.]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of County Route 19/1, Ballangee Road, from its intersection with County Route 17/1, known as War Ridge Road, to its intersection with County Route 19/3, known as Big Stony Creek Road, in Summers County, the “U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis Memorial Road”.

Whereas, Lomer Elmo Davis, born November 29, 1921, at Ballengee, in Summers County, was a son of the late Lomer A. and Allie Lyons Davis; and

Whereas, Lomer Elmo Davis volunteered his service to the Army in early 1942 during WWII; he trained and deployed as an infantryman with the 85th infantry division. He fought with the 85th in Patton’s Campaign in Sicily during the summer of 1943 along with his brother, Thomas who was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division; and

Whereas, At the battle of Messina, U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis was severely wounded and eventually evacuated back to the U.S.; he was awarded the three signature awards of a WWII warrior for his bravery; the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. His wounds troubled him the remainder of his adult life; and

Whereas, U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis was a truck driver for Shanklin’s Trucking and later purchased his own truck and began hauling miscellaneous goods for local residents and neighbors. Mr. Davis owned and operated Davis Grocery at Ballengee from 1963-1980; and

Whereas, U. S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis was a member of the Ballengee Farm Club and a trustee of the Oak Grove Cemetery; and

Whereas, U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Main Street Care in Hinton following a short illness; and

Whereas, U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis was preceded in death by one brother, Thomas “Verdo” Davis and three sisters, Winnie McMillion, Ruby Riffe and Lena Clair Hedrick; those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Anita Tabor and husband Dean of Marie; step-son, Floyd Light and wife Audra of Leesburg, Va.; four step-grandchildren; five step-great grandchildren; many loved nieces and nephews; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of County Route 19/1, Ballangee Road, from its intersection with County Route 17/1, known as War Ridge Road, to its intersection with County Route 19/3, known as Big Stony Creek Road, in Summers County, the “U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of road as the “U.S. Army PVT Lomer Elmo Davis Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the Division of Highways.