This is the story of Ron Davis, a charismatic young man who struggled to beat a 12 year addiction to drugs, only to be brutally murdered at the age of 39. The story of his parents, Brooks and Jean Davis, two ordinary people with extraordinary courage, who barely overcome one tragedy, only to be dealt another. A story of faith. Though Ron stumbled many times on the path to overcoming his addiction, he never once gave up the fight, always believing that victory was possible. A story of hope. Just as Ron never lost faith in himself, Brooks and Jean never lost faith in their son. Nor did they stop believing that the man responsible for Ron's murder would eventually be brought to justice-despite a crushing series of blows in a legal battle that lasted nearly eight years. A story of miracles and promise. Over ten years after his death, Ron Davis continues to touch the lives of a great many people. His legacy serves as a reminder that good can still come from even the worst of circumstances. FOREWORD BY PAUL HOWARD, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ATLANTA This book is an inspiring story with a priceless message for every person searching for help, hope, reassurance and healing. Jesse Helms U.S. Senator (1973-2003) The Davis family has shown incredible strength as they have dealt with the addiction of a loved one, the murder of a son and a legal system which seemed to favor the guilty. Dr. Jerry McGee, President Wingate University Jean Davis and her husband Brooks have been married 57 years. They have one son and three grandchildren. Active in both their church and community, they reside just outside Charlotte, North Carolina. Ed Robertson is a nationally known writer, journalist, and author of five books. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
When reading the synopsis of Keep On Keeping On, one would assume this book to be your average inspirational story that you hope to pick you up off your feet. However, this is a story of two parents’ and their sons’ journey through addiction and the fight for justice. I was compelled to keep going from the author’s tone, which anyone could relate to. Her simple jargon makes it easy for the average reader to understand, eventhough the content is deep and complex. This is a story of Ron Davis, a charismatic young man who struggled to beat a twelve year addiction to drugs, only to be brutally murdered at the age of thirty-nine. His parents, Brooks and Jean Davis, born and raised in the South, at first viewed his addiction as sinful. As dedicated Baptists in a small town, it was hard for either of them to comprehend the severity of Ron’s addiction. However, Jean’s unfailing faith shows throughout her writing and in every situation Ron put them in. Keep On Keeping On goes extensively into the Davis’s family history, pride, and small town reputation. Jean repeatedly says throughout the book, “We had to swallow our pride” in order to help Ron overcome his addiction. This information may seem unnecessary during the reading, but as the reader approaches the end of the book, it is evident that all the little stories about small town life and family history all tie into Ron’s addiction. Family pressures, girlfriend issues, and competition also contributed to Ron becoming addicted to drugs in the first place. After going through many difficult stages in Ron’s life, including many trips to rehabilitation centers and rebuilding his faith in God, it seems as if Ron was finally going in the right direction. With supportive parents by his side, Ron starts his new life, only to be brutally murdered. As if this tragedy wasn’t hard enough on the family, Jean and Brooks suffered through many years of struggle to gain justice for their son’s sake. This story exemplifies how flawed the American court system can be, and how much Jean and Brooks sacrificed for justice. Keep On Keeping On is an inspirational story simple enough to be the perfect summer read. I recommend this book to anyone looking for extraordinary pick-me-up book that dives deep into the complexity of addiction and struggle for justice.