MADISON – Although a Madison County resident all her life, Ashley Davis did not learn or experience what the City of Madison is all about until taking her job with Madison Publications.

“I love it! I love that everything the residents need to live, raise families and worship are all basically in this perfect area between Hwy. 20 and Hwy. 72,” Davis said. “Madison is what the American Dream is all about … a melting pot with people from all over the world coming together to work to make the world a better place with a slice of Southern charm anchoring it all.”

“What qualities about the town and people make it a good place to live? It’s the ability to accommodate all of its residents. I see that Madison is doing this,” Davis said.

For its youngest residents, Madison has excellent pediatric care, great resources at Madison Hospital and first-class preschool/daycare facilities, she said. School-age children have a top-notch school system led by passionate educators dedicated to modeling professionalism and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

Madison has “a wealth of small businesses that promote academic and athletic betterment, Hogan Family YMCA, new library, great outdoor spaces, Insanity Complex, breweries for young professionals to unwind, a great Chamber of Commerce, excellent facilities aimed at successful and comfortable aging … I could go on and on” Davis said.

Davis has learned about the community in her work as Marketing Consultant for “The Madison Record” newspaper and “Madison Living” magazine. “I really can’t say I’ve met an unpleasant person here. I love all my clients and business owners and their pride in offering their best to Madison. I love that people move here for opportunity and to build a legacy,” she said.

Davis grew up in Hazel Green and graduated from Randolph School in 1998. After attending Auburn University, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University.

Ashley and Johnny Davis are parents of Emma, 13; Anna, 11; Abby, 8; son Walker, 2; and Anna Grace, 13 (Ashley’s stepdaughter). “Having five children and working full time is nothing less than extremely daunting, but I wouldn’t trade a minute,” Ashley said.

“I have a heart for forgotten members of our community. I’m praying about starting a homebound ministry service that brings worship and Bible study to those that can’t get out and desperately need to feed spiritually, socially and sometimes physically,” she said. “This was laid on my heart after watching two of my grandparents lose their spouses in the past year.”

“I was blessed to be raised on everything from old hymns to classic rock.” Ashley’s father worked in radio/entertainment management and her mother is a gifted vocalist. “For my 16th birthday, my father took me to Wembley Stadium in London to see The Eagles. I’m also embarrassed to admit that Luke Bryan knew my girlfriend and me by name after a quarter-life crisis that involved signs, custom tank tops and a fan club,” she said.

Ashley’s favorite foods are Cricket’s hot honey-gold wings, Uncle Maddio’s pizza, Hunt Club’s burger, Old Black Bear’s fries, La Placita’s chicken taco salad and Main Street Cafe’s mint tea.