What Happened to Sig?

Dick Baynton
Dick Baynton

‘Sig’ is the affectionate nickname for Sigmund Davidson, an iconic citizen of the city of opportunity; Roanoke, Virginia. Sig was born on January 14, 1922 at the ’old’ Jefferson Hospital on Franklin Road. Sig’s mom was Daisy Belle (nee Silverman) who was born in Kansas City and came east to Roanoke when her father established a retail work clothing store on Campbell Avenue. His dad was Joseph Davidson who was born in Lithuania in 1882, migrating to Providence, R.I.in 1900 and to Roanoke in 1906.

 It was while working at Silverman’s Store that Joe realized his dream of having the boss’ daughter Daisy Belle become his wife and Mother of their children.

Having married Daisy Belle, Joseph opened in 1910 what is now the oldest business establishment that remains family-owned in downtown Roanoke. The original Davidson’s was located on the NE corner of Jefferson and Salem Avenues but moved to 303 South Jefferson in 1922 and thence to its present location at 412 South Jefferson in 1964. The business was originally advertised as Joseph Davidson’s Clothiers-Haberdashers.

Following graduation from Jefferson High School in 1939, Sig entered Roanoke College. Enlisting in the Army in September 1942, he was given student deferment until February 1943 to allow time for graduation.  He was sent by the Army to Boston University to study reconstruction methods for what appeared to be a protracted world conflict. Receiving a furlough to visit Roanoke in October 1943, he came home and linked up with Harriet Cohen, a young lady from Winston Salem he had met in April 1942.

Smitten with Harriet’s charm, he visualized a future of romance and long-term partnership. In January, the couple decided it was time to tie the knot. Taking the required pre-marital blood test, they traveled to Greensboro and expressed their vows in the presence of a Justice of the Peace on January 8, 1944.

Grabbing a bus to Lynchburg, the couple spent their short honeymoon in a hotel and Sig hopped a train to Boston, arriving 48 hours overdue (AWOL). Explaining the tardiness to his company commander, punishment was KP (Kitchen Police) duty for three Saturdays. Following the training at Boston University, his orders were revised and Sig was sent to train with the 78th Infantry Division at Camp Pickett, Virginia. To remain near each other, Harriet moved to Blackstone, the town nearest the Army base. Their marriage was undergirded by a Jewish ceremony, with family present, in nearby Lynchburg, VA on April 23, 1944.

Sig went into combat on December 13 in Germany and was wounded on March 3, 1945. Sent to a hospital near Paris for treatment and recovery, a Red Cross Lady informed him that Harriet had delivered a baby girl. Smiling, Sig replied that he already knew about it from reading ‘The Stars and Stripes.’ Davidson was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his injury and valor in combat.

Discharged from active duty in 1945, Sig came home to work in his father’s store. In declining health and ready for retirement, Joseph turned the operation over to his son to carry on and died in 1968. Sig has opened and closed stores according to their success and the remaining two stores are thriving under the leadership of son Larry. Younger son Steve has achieved success in real estate; eldest child Bonnie Lynn is married and lives in Bethesda, MD.

The Davidson’s moved to Brandon Oaks in 2004; beloved Harriet succumbed to the ravages of cancer on March 1, 2007. Mr. Davidson has been honored as Trustee and is the recipient of the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by his alma mater. He has been President of Downtown Roanoke, on the Board of Center in the Square and has been unstinting in helping Downtown Roanoke thrive.

The revered Sigmund E. Davidson in his modest self-esteem raises the ardor of all around him. Without seeking praise and glory, he has exemplified all that is good in men and women everywhere. His quiet demeanor has been more powerful than rants and speeches. Sig is a man of the world, a paragon of achievement, a triumph of the spirit.

– Dick Baynton

 Editor’s note: The above is the result of sparkling conversations with ‘Sig’ this past week.

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