Newcomers: Lee Ann Davis and Socrates Moura
by Jenny Helderman
The night Lee Ann Davis of Norcross, Georgia, met Socrates Moura of Goiania, Brazil, in Atlanta, they danced for three hours to Brazilian music. He showed her the steps to the Latin dances and she caught on quickly. Four years later, July 23, 2011, they will be married at All Saints and will dance again to Brazilian music at the reception in Ellis Hall.
Socrates owns Sunrise Haulers, a construction company engaged in grading, hauling and demolition. He and his brother came to the U.S. in 1992 from their home about 2 1/1 hours south of Brasilia.
Lee Ann is a senior account executive for FedEx, a UGA graduate who likes children and poker. She plays Texas Hold’em for points in a poker league. The night she introduced Socrates to the game, he caught on quickly -- and won the tournament. Socrates also plays soccer. They live in Smyrna.
When Socrates’ company did some work at All Saints’, he was drawn by the church’s atmosphere and spirit. They had heard about All Saints’ and what he saw fit with what they wanted in their church. According to Lee Ann, All Saints’ is known for its activities and service. “That matters to us. I want to help other people and am especially interested in helping the homeless.”
They visited, liked the people and felt very welcomed. They would like very much to meet more young couples.
They will be confirmed with the next class, in time for a traditional 5 p.m. American-Brazilian summer wedding. The colors will be red and white; the food Brazilian---steak, yucca salad, rice and beans---with American wedding cake. Socrates’ parents will come from Brazil, even his father who is afraid to fly. And everybody will dance to Brazilian music.
Jennie Helderman is an Alabama-born-and-bred writer transplanted to Atlanta in her gray-haired years. She’s co-authored two nonfiction novelty books, written short stories and numerous magazine articles, and released her latest book, a nonfiction narrative entitled, As the Sycamore Grows, earlier this year . Seldom does she speak with few words, but an 800-word fiction piece earned her a nomination for the 2007 Pushcart Prize.