Pillar of the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support

In 1963, in Salisbury, North Carolina, at Livingstone College, Kathy Benefield met John Davis on the steps leading into her new dormitory. John was talking to a friend, but Kathy caught his eye. He immediately insisted on getting to know Kathy better. But Kathy played it cool. John often came by the dorm to check in on her during her freshman year. Neither of them knew that this chance meeting would grow into a marriage spanning more than 50 years, a family and a shared journey through life’s greatest joys and most difficult challenges.

Professionally, John dedicated his life to education and service. He worked as a teacher, principal and UGA faculty in the college of education pouring his energy into shaping young minds. Beyond the classroom, he was a mentor, a father, beloved grandfather, appreciated sibling and a community leader whose guidance left a lasting mark on countess lives.

At his core, John believed in people. He was convinced that, given opportunity and encouragement, anyone could grow and improve.

Known as a “peacekeeper”, he carried a calm spirit and a positive outlook, always searching for the good in every situation. John often reminded Kathy, “even though this situation is difficult, what can we do to find something good in it?”

In 1991, John H. Davis, PhD. faced one of the most challenging situations one can face in life – a cancer diagnosis. True to his belief in finding good even in hardship, he became deeply involved with the establishment of the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. There, he found comfort, strength and community. Through group interactions, John discovered how powerful it was to process struggles together and support one another.

Over the years, John would share how helpful the Center was for him through interacting with groups to process what each other was going through and leaning on one another for support. John was a passionate advocate for individuals facing cancer, encouraging both his community and his congregation at Greater Bethel AME Church to seek support from the Center. He was particularly inspired to see more diversity at the center and for everyone seeking their services to feel a place of belonging. Kathy shared that John used his life experiences to speak to anyone who needed support in difficult situations, especially African American men who did not find it easy to share experiences and seek help.

This commitment to inclusion and support was deeply felt by those who worked alongside John. Joel Siebentritt, a colleague at the Loran Smith Center, shared: “John recognized the need for more programs and opportunities to support people of color facing cancer. As a Black male survivor—and later, a Black man living with cancer—he started a support group with the hope that his journey could be a light for others. He remained actively involved in these programs until his passing.”

Resilience was woven into John’s story long before his cancer diagnosis. Having lived through segregation in the 1960’s, he carried a deep conviction that hard times could be endured and overcome. “We often discussed that an attitude of optimism mixed with gratitude can change your perspective on the world,” says Kathy. During his cancer diagnosis and treatment, people would often ask John how he could stay so happy, and he would often respond “God is good, and things could be worse – happiness is my choice.”

John passed away, at the age of 77, on February 10, 2022. Each year his wife, Kathy, family and many of her friends, contribute to the Loran Smith Center in his memory and we are honored to celebrate his faith, leadership, inspiration and contributions to our community.