Savannah, Georgia, is celebrating one of its own as Mary Davis, the original lead singer of the legendary R&B and funk group the S.O.S. Band, receives a special hometown honor with an intersection dedicated in her name.
The dedication recognizes Davis’s contributions to music and her lasting influence on R&B, funk and generations of music lovers. The singer helped lead the group to success with some of the most memorable hits of the 1980s, including “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” “Just Be Good to Me” and “The Finest.
A Lasting Tribute to a Savannah Native
The intersection at State Route 204 and Tibet Avenue in Chatham County will now be known as the Mary Davis S.O.S. Band Intersection, giving the singer a permanent recognition in the community where her story began.
A dedication ceremony was scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, with Georgia State Representative Carl Gilliard among those helping lead the effort to honor Davis. The event included a program at Central Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah, followed by a procession to the intersection.
Davis is a 1962 graduate of Tompkins High School in Savannah. The recognition celebrates not only her musical achievements but also the connection she maintains to her hometown.
The Voice Behind the S.O.S. Band’s Classic Hits
Davis became widely known as the original lead vocalist and frontwoman of the S.O.S. Band, a group that helped define the sound of R&B and funk during the late 1970s and 1980s.
The group earned widespread recognition with its 1980 hit “Take Your Time (Do It Right),” followed by enduring favorites such as “Just Be Good to Me,” “Tell Me If You Still Care,” “The Finest” and “No One’s Gonna Love You.”
With her distinctive vocals and commanding stage presence, Davis helped establish the group’s signature sound. The S.O.S. Band’s music continues to reach audiences through radio, streaming platforms, sampling and the influence its recordings have had on later generations of artists.
The group’s catalog remains a celebrated part of classic R&B, bringing together soulful vocals, infectious rhythms and the electronic funk sound that helped shape the era.
A Legacy That Lives On
The intersection dedication serves as a reminder that musical greatness can begin in a hometown and go on to reach audiences around the world.
For Davis, having a landmark named in her honor adds a meaningful chapter to a career built on memorable songs and a lasting contribution to Black music history.
Her recognition in Savannah also gives residents and visitors a way to celebrate an artist whose voice helped create the soundtrack to countless memories.
Congratulations to Mary Davis on this well-deserved hometown honor! Her legacy with the S.O.S. Band continues to live on through the music that fans still love today.
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