The W. I. and Inez Davis Endowed Scholarship was established by the Davis family to provide financial assistance to students from Shelby County.

W.I. Davis, a native of Center, Texas and a Center High School graduate, served his country as a pilot in the Army Air Corp during World War II. He was area consignee for Mobil Oil Products, Inc. for 30 years. Also W.I. was manager of the Davis-Kenny Company consisting of timber and ranch land in Shelby County from 1946 to 1987. Currently he is the manager of the Davis Tree Farm located in Shelby County.

W.I. Davis is a lifelong member of Center First United Methodist Church and has served as chairman and member of various church committees. For twelve years W.I. served as a board member of the Methodist Children’s Home Boys Ranch in Waco, Texas. He has been a member of the Texas Forestry Association for 44 years and currently serves on the legislative committee. In 2006, Inez and W.I. were honored with a life membership by the Texas Forestry Association for his dedication and service to this organization. W.I. has been a member of the Texas Farm Bureau since 1991 and has served since 2000 as board member and chairman of the Forestry Advisory Committee. Since 1957, W.I. Davis has served for 54 years as a director for Farmers State Bank.

Inez Neilson, a native of McKinney, Texas and a graduate of Southern Methodist University, married W.I. Davis, Jr. in 1947. Inez is a member of the Center First United Methodist Church where she served as choir director and president of United Methodist Women. Inez Davis has served as president of The Center Music Study Club and is a life member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. She also served twelve years on the Friends of Music Committee at Stephen F. Austin University. She is a member of the Nacogdoches Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of The American Revolution where she served as chaplain and song leader.

W.I. and Inez have two children, Neilson Davis and wife, Diana, and Cindy Griffin and husband, Guy. They also have two grandchildren, Patrick and Kelly Griffin.

The W. I. and Inez Davis Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student who is starting their sophomore year at Panola College. The selection of the recipients will be made in the spring each year.