We are very sorry to report that Betty Davis, a dear colleague and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 29. She was 83.
Betty, originally from Vidalia, Georgia, started her career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York City, and began working for "the original Constangy" (Constangy & Prowell) in Atlanta as a legal secretary in 1957. She obtained a law degree in Atlanta but chose not to practice law.
She was the firm's office manager for many years, and then in the 1990s became the mentor to our budding affirmative action practice group, where her knowledge and abilities were invaluable and deeply respected. Our clients loved her.
She was able to compute utilization and adverse impact using a calculator, pencil, and paper -- not a speck of software.
During my time here, Betty was known to keep a libation of some sort in her office (scotch? bourbon? I was never sure). You knew that you'd "arrived" in the firm when Betty invited you to her office after hours for a drink. I was in a remote office, but she did invite me out for drinks once when she was in Winston-Salem for an OFCCP audit, and I felt like I'd been invited to Buckingham Palace.
That having been said, Betty did not see herself as "the Queen." She was as down-to-earth, fun, and funny as anyone I've ever worked with. Maybe that's why it was such a privilege to receive one of her "invitations."
Betty tried to retire from Constangy a number of times, but no one wanted her to go. She indulged us by staying on well past the time that she should have been going on cruises, enjoying her nieces and nephews, and having some peace and quiet. She finally did retire for good in 1997, after 40 years with the firm.
She was living in Tucker, Georgia, at the time of her death, and she'd just been out to the opera this past Sunday evening with her family.
As my law partner Fred Richardson said of Betty, "She was dedicated to the success of the firm, had a good sense of humor and was smart as hell. Those of us who knew her will miss her."
Betty's full obituary is here. We offer our condolences, thoughts, and prayers to all of her family, friends, and loved ones.
Of Counsel & Chief Legal EditorRobin also conducts internal investigations and delivers training for HR professionals, managers, and employees on topics such as harassment prevention, disability accommodation, and leave management.
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This is Constangy’s flagship law blog, founded in 2010 by Robin Shea, who is chief legal editor and a regular contributor. This nationally recognized blog also features posts from other Constangy attorneys in the areas of immigration, labor relations, and sports law, keeping HR professionals and employers informed about the latest legal trends.
