David Estes Valentine

David was born the 3rd son of Frank and Edwyn Valentine of Athens Louisiana on December 16, 1948. He was born in Houston, TX. His family moved to Athens when he was 4 years old. David had 2 brothers, Omar Valentine and Lewis Valentine – both have preceded him in death. David has one son, Jeffrey Michael Valentine and Daughter – in – law DeeAnn Valentine, who he loved like a daughter. He also has three grand children: Alyssa Valentine, Jeffrey Valentine Jr. and Waylon Valentine. David has two nephews: Monty Valentine and Mitch Valentine and three nieces: Candy Morton, Lisa Delgado and Stacey Valentine. David is survived by his Life Partner of 30 years, Joyce Franklin of Cordova, TN.  

David attended Athens High School from the 1st through 12th grade. David grew up in the Athens Baptist Church rarely missing a Sunday School class, church service or Revival.  His family was members of the Athens Baptist Church.  David was baptized there when he was around 12 or 13 years old.  Until his last breath David professed his belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He prayed every night and believed that his name would be in The Lamb’s Book of Life.  He knew he was the last in his immediate family to complete the circle so it would be unbroken.

David joined the United States Air Force through a delayed enlistment during his senior year in high school.  During his 4-year military service he volunteered to serve in Vietnam and was assigned there from Feb 1968 until Feb 1969 – for which he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. While serving in Vietnam he was able to spend Christmas with his brother Lewis who was also stationed in Vietnam at that time.

After completing his 4 years in the military, David enrolled in Louisiana Tech University in 1970 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974. David spent the majority of his professional life working in Finance and Sales – with a 10-year period working at 2 Universities in recruitment activities. He said that was the most rewarding period in his life when he realized he was making a real difference in the outcome of people’s lives.

During the last 20 – 30 years of David’s professional career, he traveled throughout the United States – all of California to downtown Washington D.C. – and many areas in between. He said he had truly seen the beauty of this nation and got to know people from all walks of life.

David truly lived a full life.  He found love with his Life Partner for more than 30 years. He retired from work in 2018 and enjoyed his final time reflecting on life and growing ever stronger in his faith and his relationship with God.

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