Jamie Davis is the new director of the Jackson County Department on Aging, a path that took him from strumming six-strings in Nashville, Tenn., to supporting senior citizens in Jackson County.
Twenty-one years ago, the Jackson County native graduated college in Boone, N.C., and headed to “Music City” to pursue a music career in Nashville. After all, he enjoyed playing guitar, some bass, and even taking the sticks to the drums. But while in Nashville as fate had it, his career path changed to a new beat…helping the elderly.
“I love it. I love being here. I love being in Jackson County, and I love helping the people that are here,” said Davis. “The Department on Aging is the jewel of Jackson County.”
In November, Davis replaced Eddie Wells as the director of the Jackson County Department on Aging, a position that is music to his ears. His journey to serve seniors and others in need came about by necessity as a ‘starving musician’ those years ago in Nashville, but today is one of passion.
From Jackson to Nashville
Davis is a 1998 graduate of Smoky Mountain High School. Like many young people, he wanted to get away from home, so he attended Appalachian State University, earning his degree in Social Work in 2003.
“I then decided to go to Nashville after graduating college, where I was a professional musician for 10 years,” said Davis. “I even supported our troops overseas, contracted through the Department of Defense to go all over the world during the Global War on Terrorism to meet with our troops and entertain them. It was a humbling, life-altering experience.”
While in Nashville, though, he took a job as a counselor and played music on the side while working in the medical field. That move would strike a chord that would change his life’s work.
“I worked for a community mental health agency as an in-home counselor,” Davis said. “I worked my way through the ranks and ended up running two of their largest offices as an operations administrator.”
Davis had traveled to many places around the globe, but the lure of home here in Jackson County began to take hold. The mountains of Western North Carolina were calling, and Davis answered the call as he was ready to start a family.
“This is a great place to be, to raise a family,” he said. “I’ve been to a lot of places in the world. I watched the sun rise over the Hindu Kush Mountains. I’ve seen the Northern Lights. I’ve even been above the Arctic Circle. But right here in Jackson County, there is no better place than right here. No finer people. No prettier place.”
Davis is married to Sabrena Davis, the Children’s Services supervisor with the Jackson County Department of Social Services, and they have two children – a 12-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl.
From Nashville Back to Jackson County
When he moved back to Jackson County nearly 10 years ago, Davis took a position with Harris Regional Hospital as a discharge planner and social worker.
“I was responsible for setting up a safe and effective discharge plan for anybody that came to the hospital, to make sure that had what they needed when they went home or to a nursing home,” Davis said.
“That is where I truly got a good understanding of the aging population,” said Davis, as he dealt with issues pertaining to the elderly with various medical needs, Medicare issues, diseases, and ailments.
Davis served in his role at Harris for nine years, primarily supporting seniors in this community. That role was impactful, considering that persons over the age of 65 make up 20.6 percent of the population here in Jackson County, accounting for nearly 9,200 people of the total 44,574 population here, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2023 estimates. The national average for those over the age of 65 is 17.7 percent, making Jackson County an area with a larger population (by percentage) of seniors.
He continued his service to the senior population for the next two years by taking a position with Adult Protective Services with Jackson County Department of Social Services (DSS), investigating abuse, neglect, exploitation of adult issues and disability. He also helped people who had a difficult time handling money with their financial decisions.
While in that DSS position, Davis also oversaw the Adult Daycare program, which gave him interaction with the Department on Aging.
“Those were my favorite days when I could come up here (Department on Aging). I just was drawn in and absolutely loved the staff there. They did an amazing job, but the participants just stole my heart. I loved it!”
It was a similar reaction he remembers his grandmother had when she would visit the Department on Aging in Jackson County, when the facility was in a different location (the current location has been in operation since 2008).
“My grandmother grew up during the Great Depression…she didn’t have a whole lot, not a lot of joy,” he recalls. “But I remember in the late 80s, early 90s, when the bus would pull up to come to the Senior Center, she would move like a linebacker trying to get to the bus to come here. It was her joy. It was where she met people, where she found friends.”
Fulfilling the role of director brings a personal and professional perspective for Davis: “Everyone’s grandmother and grandfather is welcome here, and I want them to have joy when they are here.”
It’s all about linking seniors in our area to the services specifically for them.
Putting Smiles on Aged Faces
“I want the residents of Jackson County to know what a beautiful place they have here,” said Davis. “What a worthwhile place – quilting classes, exercise classes of all kinds, a pool table when they can come and just shoot pool. The VA is here to assist those who have served our country. It’s just nice to have all those at their fingertips, and I want to make sure that all of Jackson County knows we are here to help them.”
George and Melanie Sutton, lifelong residents of Jackson County, have been coming to the Department of Aging for nearly two years, occasionally enjoying the daily lunch they provide.
“I like coming here,” said George, 62, a three-year Army veteran. “They’ve got a weight room, a computer lab. It’s a good place to come and hang out.” It’s something he didn’t think about when he was young, but today, “It would make me sad if we didn’t have a place like this.”
Melanie is pleased to see the support they provide veterans.
“Think of all the things that veterans have done to help people. That’s wonderful that they serve, to help fight for what’s right. Coming here means a lot. There are lots of activities, and the people are always very friendly.”
Maybe it was Davis’ playing music for the troops overseas that instilled his love for veterans. Or maybe it was his service as a counselor at the community mental health facility in Nashville the led to his affection for helping others. Or his time at Harris Regional Hospital and Department of Social Services that provided his respect for the elderly…all leading him to his role at the director here at the Department on Aging.
“I’m very, very pleased that that the Commissioners and Mr. King thought enough to put me in this position, and I look forward to working with everybody here. This is just a great place,” Davis said.
“Jackson County is fortunate to have Jamie serve as director for our Department on Aging” said Kevin King, county manager for Jackson County. “He brings a lot of experience to the leadership role, coupled with a lot of passion to serve and support our senior population.”
In addition to meeting with center participants and staff to see what needs they may have, Davis has a short-term goal that involves the community.
“I want to start bringing in some more volunteers, youthful volunteers, because youthfulness breeds youthfulness,” he said. “Maybe have some high school to college-age people to come in and bring some of that that youthful energy.” It’s a win-win for both the elderly and youth alike.
“There is so much to learn from people who have gone before you,” said Davis. “These people here have seen things in their lives that I may never get to see. And you can learn a lot from folks who have already learned that lesson.”
While volunteers help the elderly folks at the center, they, in turn, receive a blessing.
Helping Elderly Find Their Place…and Purpose
“The blessings that you get from helping others far outweigh any cost that you have in giving of yourself, and it will revitalize you, rejuvenate you, and will make you so happy that you did what you did.”
Davis’ long-term goals include bringing in new programs to help the aged population, while continuing the current programs. One of those new programs pertains to technology.
“We are currently working with some people to get some contractors in to teach classes on both iPad or iPhone and Android technologies,” Davis said. “For example, you can’t even check into a doctor now and go up to the front desk and say, ‘Hey, I’m here for an appointment’; you have to sign in.” Technology can be daunting for seniors, he says. “It can be very scary because you hear so many horror stories of scammers. I don’t want people to be scared of that; I want to be aware of it, not scared.”
He also wants senior citizens in Jackson County to know the center is here for them. Programs like Meals on Wheels which serves about 120 home-bound each month; Senior Christmas Boxes, congregate meals, help with Medicare, Health & Wellness Programs, and many more.
He also encourages caretakers or folks who may have elderly neighbors or family members who aren’t aware of the center’s resources to learn more.
That joy he remembers his grandmother having when she visited the Department on Aging is what he wants for other senior citizens here in Jackson County to experience. It’s something he feels led to share.
“My faith is extremely important to me, to my family,” Davis said. “I believe that I have been led by God to do this, to help others.
“I always envisioned coming back and helping out here. This is home. This is where we wanted to be.”
The main center is located at 100 County Services Park in Sylva, which a satellite located is located at the Cashiers Senior Center at 217 Frank Allen Road in Cashiers.
For those who would like to volunteer at the Department on Aging, contact them at (828) 586-5494.