Staff Mourns the Loss of News Director *

North Mississippi is mourning the loss of a long-time journalist and former WCBI News Director, Robert Davidson, who passed away on Sunday. Davidson oversaw some of the most significant stories that impacted the region for 25 years, but his impact went far beyond that. He was a behind-the-scenes guy who touched the lives of those who worked with him.

Davidson's passion for Ole Miss baseball was well-known, and he could often be found at Swayze Field watching games. He played baseball for Ole Miss and also worked as a cameraman for ESPN. However, his real love was telling and finding news stories.

"He was firm, but fair and a very smart, very intelligent, and very savvy news person," said Wayne Hereford, WTVA Assignment Editor.

Caresse Jackman, a former WCBI reporter, spoke fondly of Davidson and said, "If there's a news director that you want to have your back from the time you start to, for your life, really, that was Robert. Robert was such a compassionate guy, such a supportive figure in my life. Even after I left Columbus, Mississippi."

Davidson's country twang and love for digging for information made him an excellent producer, photographer, and news director. He knew how to spot talent and potential in young journalists and was always willing to support them.

"He said, 'I could spot your potential. I could spot your talent. I just don't like divas.' And I said, 'Oh, don't worry about that. I'm not a diva, so we're good to go.' And instantly after that, I started there at WCBI in Columbus, and I was there for about two and a half years," said Jackman.

Davidson may have lived only 59 years, but those years were filled with stories, laughter, a quick wit, and plenty of hard work. He was a father figure to many in the news industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of journalists to come.