Jeannie Elaine Bailey Davis, 62, of Statesville, N.C., died Monday, December 14, 2020, at the Veterans Hospital in Salisbury, N.C.

She was born on October 15, 1958, in Chattooga County, Ga., to the late Monroe Bailey and Grace Smith Bailey. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Randy Bailey.

Jeannie retired from the U.S. Navy in September of 1994. She was highly decorated while in service. In 1982 she was the first female to be named Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year. She was also the first female Administrator at The Citadel. She received two master’s degrees. The first in Clinical Counselor Mastery while at The Citadel and the second in Information Science from the University of Tennessee. She worked as a Librarian in Hawkins County, Tenn., for nine years before moving to Statesville in 2006. She was a member at Hebron Baptist Church, where she had taught Sunday School.

In December of 1977, Jeannie married Donald Davis on the Rock of Gibraltar. They enjoyed 43 years of marriage before her death.

She is survived by her husband, Donald; a sister, Sherry Pineado; four nieces and one nephew.

A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, December 28, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the National Cemetery in Salisbury, N.C., with Rev. Darren Johnson officiating.

The family asks that no flowers be sent since none can be taken to the National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.