Judge L. Clifford Davis was surrounded by a multitude of people on Saturday afternoon, including his mentees.
Calling him a “living legend,” attendees at his 100th birthday party filled the Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum in south Fort Worth to honor Davis, one of the first black district judges appointed in Tarrant County.
“I’ve lived ninety-nine years, nine months, three weeks and five days,” Davis said. “So I’m a happy old man.”
There at the museum, the community remembered his accomplishments and the lasting impact he had on civil rights, education and civic representation at the national and local levels.
“I would say he is the embodiment of the lawyer everyone should emulate,” said Fort Worth attorney Bobbie Edmonds.
In addition to his notable judicial work, Davis opened one of the first law offices for African Americans in Tarrant County.
A native of Arkansas, he began practicing law after graduating from Howard Law School in 1949. He joined a law firm in Arkansas that he founded with William Harold Flowers, a leading figure in the civil rights movement in the 1940s.
In 1954, two Dallas lawyers, CB Buckley and Louis A. Beckford, joined with Davis to form one of the first black-owned law firms in Tarrant County.
This law firm filed two lawsuits in the 1950s and 1960s that led to the desegregation of the Mansfield and Fort Worth school districts. Her law firm assisted NAACP attorney Thurgood Marshall in the landmark case that became Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
“Judge Davis has a saying: ‘I open the door, I can let others through. It doesn’t have to be me. I’ll break down the barriers, and then you can come in and improve your life,'” Edmonds said.
During his time as a lawyer, Davis developed a philosophy to live by. He stated that his philosophy, “civic responsibility,” encouraged him to stand up for people.
“We have a civic responsibility to treat all residents, individually and collectively, with dignity, courtesy, respect and integrity,” without discrimination based on socioeconomic concepts, Davis said. “We must stand up for freedom, independence and justice for the general good of the community.”
He said his rejection from the University of Arkansas due to racial segregation policies inspired him to become a lawyer.
“I opened a gate. I didn’t go on the field, but others did,” Davis said.
His involvement in the civil rights movement in Arkansas contributed to the integration of students at the University of Arkansas.
He reflects proudly on the impact his career as a lawyer has had, particularly in school desegregation.
“I was very pleased with this result,” said Davis. “By working for the common good.”
However, he said he couldn’t have done it without the people who supported him and worked with him.
“I’m not saying I did all this. I said, ‘We did this.’ … It was a collaborative effort,” Davis said.
John White, a mentee of Davis, is one of many lawyers who had the privilege of working with the judge. At the ceremony, he thanked Davis.
“Judge (Davis) encouraged me to pursue any opportunities that might come my way and, in addition, to represent a black influence,” White said.
White became the second black assistant district attorney for Tarrant County. He was happy to support Davis in this legal “fight.”
“I learned a lot of compassion for him,” White said.
Davis also worked to eliminate discrimination in housing, employment, and public facilities in Fort Worth.
Local leaders said they would continue the work Davis started in the Fort Worth community. 8th District City Councilman Chris Nettles said the community can help by voting in the local election.
“What I love about this is that he started this fight and this fight is still going on,” Nettles said. “On behalf of the mayor and the entire city council, we want to wish you a happy birthday, we honor you and we stand on your shoulders.”
“As you celebrate your 100th anniversary, you have impacted the lives of many through your great historic accomplishments for African Americans,” Congressman Marc Veasey of Texas’ 33rd Congressional District said in a statement to Davis. “While much work remains to be done, it is up to us to keep the momentum going.”
The judge’s daughters, Avis and Karen Davis, concluded the ceremony and expressed their gratitude to the community and their father.
“Dad has a conscience when it comes to service, is willing to give back and help many,” said Karen Davis. “I believe that a community can be made better and that there is value in working hard together.”
Her father’s accomplishments inspired her careers as he mentored her throughout her education. He sparked Avis Davis’ interest in serving the community and caring about the public interest.
“Learning about some of his work for the benefit of the people influenced me and gave me the inspiration to focus my career more on public service and public policy,” said Avis Davis.
“I never imagined that I would know and live with someone who lived through 100 years from the early 20th century to the great 21st century,” she said. “It is so amazing and a blessing to be able to share this centennial with my dear old dad and with all of you.”
