Event for longtime local educator, mother of 7 to be held at Battery Creek High
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Friends, family and former classmates will gather in Beaufort on Friday to remember Linda Kaye Davis, a native daughter and longtime educator killed last week in Savannah, Ga., when her vehicle was struck by a driver fleeing federal immigration agents.
A public visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday in the media center at Battery Creek High School at 1 Blue Dolphin Drive. Another memorial is planned for March 7 in Savannah, Ga.
Davis, 52, of Pooler, Ga., was a special education teacher at Hesse K-8 School in Savannah and worked within the Chatham County Public School System.
She was on her way to work the morning of Feb. 16 when the crash occurred.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officers were attempting to apprehend Oscar Vasquez Lopez, whom authorities said was in the United States illegally from Guatemala.
ICE officials said Vasquez Lopez initially complied before fleeing, making a U-turn and running a red light before colliding with Davis’ vehicle. Davis died at the scene.
The case remains under investigation.
Davis, whose maiden name was Murray, grew up in Beaufort. She attended Broad River Elementary School, Robert Smalls Middle School and graduated from Battery Creek High School in 1991.
She later taught at Lady’s Island Elementary before moving to Savannah four years ago.
An 18-year educator, Davis worked with students with special needs and was known for her dedication to children and her commitment to service.
At Hesse K-8 School, colleagues described the profound impact her loss had on students.
Principal Alonna McMullen told reporters it was especially difficult to share the news with Davis’ young students.
“It was extremely difficult to tell 5- and 6-year-olds that the teacher they loved and cherished will not be returning to see them,” McMullen said.
In a statement released through Savannah-based law firm Hart & Associates LLC, which is representing the family, Davis’ loved ones described her as a devoted wife, mother, sister, colleague, friend and teacher.
The statement said she devoted her life to serving others and that her impact extended far beyond the classroom.
The family asked that the focus remain on her life and legacy.
She is survived by her wife, Consweulo Davis; her parents, Diane M. Murray of Beaufort and James Murray Jr. of Florence; three sisters; and seven children, including one foster child, three stepchildren and four of her own.
Family and friends will be present at Friday’s visitation, which is open to the public.
A financial support page has been established to assist the family at https://bit.ly/46rXMl8.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.