Albany American Legion Auxiliary Unit 30 celebrates long-time member’s 102nd birthday

ALBANY – Many of the women of the Albany Post 30 American Legion Auxiliary Unit can tell stories of Frances Davis’ dancing.

The 101-year-old always loved to line dance and square dance. Claudia McDaniel, a member of the auxiliary, said she remembers Davis’ red, white and blue dance attire and her crystal shoes.

“We would have dances at the American Legion,” McDaniel said. “I remember all the gentlemen would be over there asking, ‘Ms. Francis, would you like to dance?’”

The Post 30 auxiliary celebrated Davis, who turns 102 on Friday, last Sunday with a party at the senior living center she resides in. They dressed up and brought balloons as well as chocolate ice cream – Davis said she loves everything chocolate.

While Davis may be known for her dance moves, it’s her dedication to the auxiliary that her fellow members say makes her stand out. She’s been an active member for 44 years, once serving as the group’s president, and is still active as she nears 102.

Marilyn Fowler, the unit’s president, said Davis continues to display energy and devotion to serving veterans in nearly everything the organization does.

“What really surprised me is, at her age, she is still willing to come out, wants to be a part of and is willing to donate to everything that we do,” Fowler said. “Her ability to do what she does, I just hope that I can do that when I’m her age. She inspires me.”

Davis was born in Albany on May 12, 1922. She’s spent her entire life in Dougherty and Lee counties. She graduated from Albany High School in 1940 and began working at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in 1952. She first worked as an administrative clerk in the office where Marines reported in and out of the base as their orders changed. She then transitioned into the auditing and disbursements department. She retired after 30 years at the base.

Davis joined the Post 30 Auxiliary after she retired. In order to be a member of the Legion auxiliary, one must have a family member with a service record. Davis said she had one brother who served in the Navy and another in the Army.

As for Davis’ longevity with the organization, she said she just enjoys being around her friends.

“I like these girls – working with them,” she said.

Trish Davis, a member of the auxiliary, said she believes Davis’ strong patriotism is what also keeps her active.

“She’s very patriotic,” Trish Davis said. “She’s very vocal when it comes to veterans. Everything that’s going on for patriotism that we do to support veterans – this lady, right here is right there with us.”

The group celebrates members' birthdays on a monthly basis.

“We’re a family, and we like to celebrate each other’s highlights, birthdays,” Fowler said. “We care about each other. We’re close-knit, and it's just good fellowship.”

Deanna Nicholson, another auxiliary member, lives down the street from Davis’ senior living home. She, along with her daughter and husband, who is a veteran, have been giving Davis rides to meetings as well as to go shopping for the last 10 years.

“We treat her like a mother,” Nicholson said. “She checks on me. I check on her.”

Davis said she loves to shop at the Albany Mall and Walmart. She said she is also fond of traveling. While she’s lived in Albany for most of her life, she’s traveled around the world from Alaska to France to Italy. Magnets from her travels cover the back of her bedroom door. Fowler said she loves to show them off to people.

As for living in Albany, Davis said she wasn’t sure how to answer what she loved most about living in the city.

“It’s just my home,” she said.

On offering advice to the younger generation, Davis said to take care of yourself and “be careful.” In private, Fowler said she let her friends at the auxiliary know she thinks the secret to her long and happy life was remaining unmarried and without children. Davis laughed as the group members reminded her of what she said.

This is the first time the auxiliary has celebrated a 102nd birthday among its members. On Davis’ 100th birthday in 2022, she was recognized with a congratulatory letter from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and a certificate from the Georgia Department of Senior Services, naming her a Distinguished Georgia Centenarian.

The auxiliary has been celebrating her with treats, dinners and gatherings since the beginning of the month.

“How many times does someone turn 102?” Fowler said.

Davis said they’ll all come together next year to celebrate her 103rd birthday. The group smiled at this and let her know they have lots of things for her to do this year.

“Well, we’ll get them done,” Davis said.