DAVIS, Gwen MARION - Gwen Shepherd Davis passed away Saturday, January 3, 2009, after an extended illness. A graveside service will be held at Palmer Cemetery in the Cenentary Community Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends following the ceremony at Ann Davis Lane's home in Centenary, the family home place. Services will be conducted by Richardson Funeral Home. Born December 14, 1938 in Cenentary, SC, Gwen was the daughter of the late Wendell Davis and Frances Shepherd Davis. She finished high school at Rains-Cenentary High School in 1957. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class, and an All-State basketball player. Gwen graduated from Converse College in 1961, where she majored in art. After leaving Converse, she began her work career at Miller and Rhoads department stores in Richmond, VA in art position. Later, Gwen returned to South Carolina to begin her twenty-eight year teaching career as an art an elementary school teacher. She taught in the public schools in Sumter, New Ellenton, Swansea, Blythewood and N. Charleston. She also taught in Savannah, GA. Gwen took breaks in her teaching career to earn her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, where her thesis brought together much new information about the printmakers of Charleston Renaissance. She also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Gwen established her permanent home in Charleston and lived there for many years. After retiring from teaching, she became an antique dealer and for many years was associated with the Antiques of South Windermere in Charleston. When growing up, Gwen was a "tomboy" and always a sports enthusiast. Her fierce competitiveness in basketball and tennis in her younger years let to her ardent support of USC's Lady Gamecocks basketball and track programs in her retirement. Gwen is survived by two sisters, Ann Davis Lane of Cenentary and Jane Davis James (Marshall) of Maxton, NC; a brother, James Clement Davis, II (Judy) of Marion, SC; and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Palmer Cemetery Fund, c/o William White, 1302 Hubert Baxley Road, Mullins, SC 29754, or Cenentary United Methodist Church, c/o James Allen LeGette, Jr., Treasurer, 4217 South Highway 41-A, Marion, SC 29571, or McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29501-0551. Visit our guestbook at _www.charleston.net/deaths_ (http://www.charleston.net/deaths) . Published in the Charleston Post & Courier on 1/5/2009 **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)