WITH VIDEO: County commissioners help celebrate Geneva Bell Davis' 95th birthday

Geneva Bell Davis, the first female African-American county commissioner in Baldwin County history, celebrated her 95th birthday on Tuesday, which coincidentally was the day of the county commission's regular meeting.

Commissioner Kendrick Butts didn't miss the opportunity to surprise the Davis family with a birthday cake and a tribute to Davis. Butts presented the cake to Emily Davis, current District 1 county commissioner and the daughter of Geneva Bell Davis.

We appreciate everything that (your mother) has done for the community," Butts said. "I'm able to sit in this chair because of what your father and mother did before me."

Geneva Bell Davis took office in 2000 following the death of her husband and then-District 1 commissioner, Oscar Davis, Jr.

Oscar Davis became the first African-American county commissioner in Baldwin County in 1984 after serving as the plaintiff in a prior civil rights/voting rights lawsuit. 

Oscar Davis, Jr. would've turned 99 this year.