‘Job is ours to continue that march.’ Civil rights icon Judge Clifford Davis’ legacy lives on
Every parking space along Missouri Avenue, East Annie Street and Tucker Street was full as mourners prepared to attend the funeral of civil rights legend Judge L. Clifford Davis on Tuesday morning.
Students playing on recess across the street at Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary School peeked through the school’s black gates, curious to see the growing crowd in Saint Andrews United Methodist Church, at 522 Missouri Ave. in Fort Worth.
Judge Davis, the first Black district court judge to be elected in Tarrant County and a civil rights lawyer who helped desegregate North Texas schools, died at the age of 100 on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles told the Star-Telegram that Judge Davis paved the way for other African Americans to be judges in Tarrant County, which has been historically difficult to achieve.
“When you talk about the history of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, Judge Davis is the epitome of history, one of the first Black judges ... one who brought policy that we’re still being challenged (on) to this day,” Nettles said. “He stood firm and led the charge, and so we’re forever grateful for his leadership, and our hope and prayer is that we can continue his movement as we move forward.”
Over 200 people were packed inside Saint Andrews, including family, friends, lawyers, Davis’ Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers, and a silent judicial tribute of federal district, magistrate, criminal, probate, and county judges from Tarrant and Dallas counties.
Tarrant County leaders including Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Fort Worth city council members, Mansfield Mayor Michael Evans, Mansfield ISD school board trustees and Tarrant County Commissioner Roderick Miles attended.
The voice of Lionel Davis II, the great-nephew of Judge Davis, shook as he described his great-uncle, who ”kept marching on weaponized patience and defined consistency.” The year Davis II received his engineering degree from the University of Arkansas was the same semester Judge Davis received an honorary degree from the law school — nearly 70 years after he was denied admission because of segregation.
“Although his marching is now complete and he is with the Lord, the job is now ours to continue that march, receive that baton, remain effective with the march, continue setting the standard high for our communities, our families, and because that is exactly what [Judge Davis] would have you to do,” Davis II said.
Ronda Davis-Ward, Davis’ niece, told those in attendance that he showed everyone how to keep the family together.
The family described Judge Davis’ calls as the “uncle check-in,” saying he was present and intentional with regular phone calls and interactions with family members as he always wanted to be updated on their lives.
Davis-Ward said he lived a life that was exemplified by his motto of social and civic responsibility that has influenced his family, community and even the world as his lessons will live on through them.
“I believe that death will never diminish the lessons you left for us or dim your legacy,” Davis-Ward said.
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM.
