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ShayMarie 
5:27pm, August 24, 2009
July 13, 2008
Rescue crews recovered the body of 19-year-old Jacob Andrew Davis at Sherando Lake in Augusta County. The call came in early Saturday afternoon, but the body was recovered around 7:30pm Saturday evening.
According to emergency crews, Davis, a Texas native, went under in an area that was around six-feet deep.
The sheriff's office says Davis was swimming with a church group after a conference on Saturday. The body will now go to a medical examiner in Roanoke.
The Augusta County Sheriff's office says the drowning is still under investigation. It is not clear if alcohol or foul play factored into the drowning.
I thought it was a sick joke at first, and then my heart sank.
No. Alcohol or foul play were not a factor in the drowing. This is a heartless article written by a heartless reporter. Jake was on a mission trip, building and restoring houses with his youthgroup. He was a great guy.
Last year he wanted to join the choir, I knew him before this only because of his very public crush on my best friend. He called me all the time, wanting to talk about her and wanting explanations for why she wouldn't date him. You see, he wasn't the coolest kid at school. He had some sort of physical retardation, and the way he talked sounded like the little kid with the lizzard from the Little Rascals. He was an honest person, sometimes he came off a little rude, when really he was just hurt by the cruelty of high school kids. He didn't have good higene, and sometimes the smell was so awful I couldn't be around him. I feel bad now. I occasionally took him home from school so he wouldn't have to walk when he missed the bus. It took a lot for me really to not gag from the smell. I couldn't help it, I tried to put it out of my mind and listen to whatever he was saying. He was a great person, and a strong devout christian. Sometimes I think he hid behind his spirituality when he wasn't accepted at school or something. He was hilarious, sometimes people thought he was annoying, and even when I was a little annoyed, I couldn't help but laugh because his objective was simply that, to annoy. His friends in choir with me all knew he wanted nothing more than to be accepted and loved for who he was, not what he sounded like. He was too good for this world. I think God knew what he was doing when he brought Jake to be closer to him. I bet he has a BEAUTIFUL singing voice, singing solo's up there in the angel's choir.
I can't help but cry when I think about his scrawny little body drowing in 6 feet of water. He was probably exhausted, and he couldn't swim well. I see him panicing and splashing or hitting his head or something. He suffered, and was scared, and thats just not right.
So Jake, Rest In Peace. You will be missed, but I know your waiting up there for all your friends to join you. Your family is being prayed for and I know our old town will be taking care of them. See you later Jake.
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I'm so sorry. This really touches me, though, that you were able to see the good and the potential in him, where others only saw the awkward misfit. I'm happy to live in a world where people can still do that sometimes, because it so seldom done for me when *I* was that awkward kid. Your tenderness toward him is a testimony to him, and it also says something about you too. I hope you will always be this...um, what's the word...tender? Insightful? I don't know. But please keep doing it, even though it sometimes causes you to hurt like this.
EmpoweredOKC
I wish Jake's mom could read this. I have a son with an IQ of 72. He isn't physically noticeably 'slow', and actually is quite smart about some tings...but he never had friends in school, and he became a socially stigmatized person. Even in church, I could see the other kids shy away from him. I taught these very kids in Sunday School, and watched as the lessons never quite fit when it came to my child.
So, other than your thoughts regarding hygeine, if Jake's mom read these words, written by such a beutiful girl... If Jake's mom knew that he was accepted, it would mean the world to her.
You are one of a very few Ms. Shannon Doherty, one of a very few indeed! God bless you.
mockingbird12
I am so sorry to hear of your loss!! Your story brought tears to my eyes - It sounds like Jake was a very special person, and was lucky to have someone like you in his life, who saw the good in him instead of placing judgment. You truly are a beautiful, remarkable person...inside and out!!! I pray that God will bring comfort and peace to you, and to all who suffer after his death. God Bless You, and please know you're in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Much Love!!!
stillscarred
I am so sorry to hear of your loss!! Your story brought tears to my eyes - It sounds like Jake was a very special person, and was lucky to have someone like you in his life, who saw the good in him instead of placing judgment. You truly are a beautiful, remarkable person...inside and out!!! I pray that God will bring comfort and peace to you, and to all who suffer after his death. God Bless You, and please know you're in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Much Love!!!
stillscarred
It's just not fair. I am so sorry.
StarbuckDifranco
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of someone so innocent who seemed only to want to serve others. It made me very sad to read your story. You and he will be in my thoughts today.
shen