July 21, 1865 – December 20, 1936

Based on an article by George Huntley III, Senior at Beaufort High School, 1960; submitted by Mamré Marsh Wilson, Historiographer, Diocese of East Carolina, 2013

Mary Anna Davis – later known by her chosen name, Nannie Pasteur Davis, or affectionately called “Aunt Nannie” – was baptized in 1865 and confirmed in 1877 at St. Paul’s Church in Beaufort, North Carolina. Her father, James C. Davis, was a merchant and once Register of Deeds in Carteret County. Her mother, Sallie Pasteur Davis, was a direct descendant of Louis Pasteur. Nannie attended St. Mary’s Junior College in Raleigh and Chocowinity Girls’ School in Beaufort County. She was married to Malachi Geffroy at home on September 1, 1885.

By 1894 Nannie had been inspired by her mother to travel North to begin securing sufficient funds for the promotion of a school in Beaufort. When the Rev. Thomas P. Noe came back to Beaufort as rector of St. Paul’s Parish in 1899, he and Nannie decided to take Miss Manson’s school as a foundation. As their school grew, they raised the money for a new building with five large classrooms, a kindergarten, a library, a small music room, and a spacious Assembly Hall. In 1906 a large two-story frame Dormitory Building was built, with all the modern conveniences.

St. Paul’s School was founded to promote Christianity and to teach young boys and girls “to use their hearts, minds, and hands.” Compliance with the rules and regulations was an absolute “must.” Church attendance was mandatory for all students and teachers. The course of study was arranged with the double object of preparing for college and of training for the active struggle of life. Graduates of St. Paul’s were admitted without examination to the University of North Carolina and to the University of the South.

The school was maintained largely through donations from societies, churches and friends around the country, although a considerable sum was received from tuition, school entertainment, bazaars, and other school benefits. Governor Charles B. Aycock was a staunch supporter of the school.

Aunt Nannie was superintendent, business manager, secretary, and treasurer of the school for 37 years, and the person with whom all business concerning the school was transacted. She did all the employing of school personnel; she was chief disciplinarian; and it was she who made the school the success it was. As one of her pupils says, “Education was almost her God, and she had an obsession for helping others.”

On November 24, 1927, Nelle Richardson Cooke paid tribute to Nannie in The Beaufort News: “Only a woman of vision, of faith, of determination could have accomplished so great an undertaking as the building, equipping and operating a private school with no assured capital or contributions. Steadily and unfailingly Mrs. Geffroy worked to make St. Paul’s School a financial success. She has been supported in her endeavors by people of wealth who were interested in spending money in so worthy a cause. Mrs. Geffroy has splendidly accomplished her work.”