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Title: Coralee Burson Davis Collection
Dates: 1937-2010
Collection Number: CPCiC-0002
Creator/Collector:
Davis, Coralee Burson
Extent: 1 archive box
Online items available
Repository:
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California 91106-2003
Abstract: The collection includes a scrapbook, a photograph and a campus periodical.
Language of Material: English
College records are public records and once fully processed are generally open to research use. The closure of college records
is subject to compliance with applicable laws.
Property rights reside with Pasadena City College. Literary rights may still reside with the creator of some collection materials.
For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact Pasadena City College, Shatford Library at archives@pasadena.edu
[Identification of item]. Coralee Burson Davis Collection. Collection Number: CPCiC-0002. Pasadena City College
Donated by Coralee Burson Davis in 2012.
Biography/Administrative History
Coralee (Cora Lee, Coco) Burson Davis is a Pasadena Junior College alumnus. She was one of a select group of women who served
in the military during World War II and performed in Tars and Spars, a touring Coast Guard musical production.
Born in 1921 in Eagle Rock, California, Davis was raised in Pasadena, California by her mother and grandparents. As an 11th
grader, in 1937 she enrolled at Pasadena Junior College which under the relatively new 6-4-4 educational system included grades
11-14. According to an article in the March 1939 issue of the "Campix" PJC's magazine, Coralee Burson whose photo was featured
on the cover, liked drama and performed leading roles in many of the campus' live stage productions. She was popular among
the PJC social groups and was seen at many PJC dances.
After graduating from high school Davis worked for a brief period at Lockheed Aircraft and then in 1942 when she turned 21,
joined the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARs-“Sempar Paratus—Always Ready”). During her four years with SPARs, in addition
to typing at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington D.C., she also delivered recruitment speeches and did radio interviews.
She is best known however for being cast in the Coast Guard show “Tars and Spars” performing alongside actor/dancer Gower
Champion. In 1945 Hollywood produced a full-length feature film of the same title. She was involved in this production as
well and concluded her term with SPARs when her obligations for the film ended in 1946.
Following her enlistment with SPARs, Davis pursued a career in acting and modeling. In 1948 she married Walter Rathbun. They
both had active theater careers until her husband passed away in 1952. Davis then left California ending up in San Juan,
Puerto Rico where, in 1956, she met and married Horace Davis. They made their home in Washington D.C. until 1963 when they
moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, and opened a travel agency.
For more biographical information on Coralee Burson Davis please go to UNCG's (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro)
Digital Collection, Women Veterans Historical Project, “WV0222 Coralee Burson Davis Papers” at: http://libcdm1.uncg.edu/cdm/search/collection/WVHP/searchterm/81/field/old/mode/all/conn/and/order/nosort
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection consists of one box which holds a scrapbook, a periodical and a current photograph of Ms. Davis.
The scrapbook, which includes many handwritten personal observations, documents the academic and social life of a co-ed in
grades eleven and twelve at what was then called Pasadena Junior College (PJC), subsequently renamed Pasadena City College
(PCC). In addition to her handwritten notes are Davis' PJC identification cards, invitations to clubs, dance events, and
dinners as well as theatre programs and newspaper clippings.
The periodical is the March 1939 issue of "Campix" magazine which features a photograph of Ms. Davis.
The single photograph is a contemporary color photograph of Ms. Davis taken in 2010.
Scrapbooks
Student activities -- United States
World War, 1939-1945
Pasadena High School -- Periodicals
College student newspapers and periodicals
Davis, Coralee Burson
United States. -- Coast Guard. -- Women's Reserve
Pasadena High School (Pasadena, Calif.)
Pasadena Junior College (Pasadena, Calif.)