Prayer vigil honors beloved Savannah teacher killed in crash involving ICE chase

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Leaders from Savannah’s faith-based community held a vigil Tuesday honoring the life of Dr. Linda Davis, a beloved special education teacher killed in a car crash Monday.

The Department of Homeland Security says the crash that killed Dr. Davis involved a man fleeing ICE agents. Mourners gathered steps away from the site where Dr. Davis died, with faith leaders from various religions and denominations leading the crowd in prayer.

“Her personality in general is a very happy jovial person, she loved to smile and that smile was very contagious,” said Alonna McMullen, principal at Hesse K-8 School.

Dr. Davis was a special education teacher at Hesse K-8 School in Savannah and had previously worked at Brock Elementary School. Speakers at the vigil emphasized the importance of coming together in times of grief.

“When we come together we can survive and even in the midst of misunderstanding, in the midst of tragic, almost unexplainable accidents,” said Reverend Dr. Da’Henri Thurmond of Saint Paul CME Church.

Selena Ruth-Gillans, executive director of Specialized Learning, said Dr. Davis was a one-of-a-kind teacher who had a true passion for children and education.

“Her energy was amazing, she is a true advocate for children, and it was her desire to make each of them feel extremely special in her classroom,” Ruth-Gillans said.

Chatham County police say Davis was on her way to work when she was killed. Dr. Tonia Howard-Hall, a Savannah-Chatham County Public School System board member, said Hesse was Linda’s happy place.

“She was actually on her way to her happy place, a place where she could be with children who loved her, a place where administrators and staff respected her,” Howard-Hall said.

Faculty at Hesse Elementary told students about Dr. Davis’ death Tuesday. Principal McMullen said the process has been heartbreaking.

“To see the looks on their faces, it broke my heart,” McMullen said. “To see their tears and their cries because they really did care about her and they knew she cared about them. Our students loved her.”

Ruth-Gillans said school employees have been touched by the number of people reaching out. She also spoke to the family of Dr. Davis and said they share her sentiments of gratitude as they grieve this sudden loss.