Hernando County’s Policy 31-01 provides the criteria that must be followed in order to rename any property or building that is owned by the County. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Department requested that the South Brooksville Community Center be named for an individual, so a Naming Committee was formed following the 02/23/16 BOCC meeting.
According to Public Information Manager Virginia Singer, the committee consisted of three members: Brooksville City Council Member Frankie Burnett, Hernando County NAACP President Paul Douglas, and Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Colonel Michael Maurer.
The 04/13/16 media release explained the process, and a public notice on 04/17/16 invited county residents to submit suggestions before the 05/09/16 deadline. Nine recommendations were received. Committee Chair Douglas stated only two names were before the committee, Sarah F. Davis and Luther Earl Cason.
No agreement was reached at the first committee meeting. At the second meeting, Burnett disagreed with Douglas and Maurer, who selected Sarah F. Davis due to her long relationship with the Community Center.
Davis, a lifelong Brooksville resident, loved her community. A teacher for 30 years, Davis influenced many children at Moton Elementary. After retirement, she worked for the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, and spent time helping others at the Community Center. Sadly, Davis was murdered in her South Brooksville home in 2010.
Viennesse Black informed the BOCC that Mrs. Davis had been her teacher and also a lifelong member of Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church, which recently celebrated its 155th anniversary. “She’s gone, but she left such a legacy, that even the way she died can’t take away from the good that she did,” Black stated.
Douglas recalled meeting with Davis only one time, but it was at the Community Center, a meeting which continued at her home over coffee. When casting his vote in her honor, Douglas stated, “I would name anything after Mrs. Davis.”
The BOCC approved the name change unanimously. Adkins acknowledged contributions made by Luther Earl Cason, and would like to honor Cason. Douglas agreed, and noted that plans for a statue are being considered.
In 2012, Sarah F. Davis Drive was named for the beloved teacher.