David Shannon Dansby was born in Centerville, TN on April 8, 1967, to Rozella Dansby. He graduated from Hickman County High School in 1986 and begin working at the Hickman County Library, later becoming the director in 2015.

David prided himself in the many positions and awards that he received; first African American to be elected to a Centerville office as Ward 1 Alderman, Vice Mayor of Centerville, Citizen of Year in 2005 and 2011. He was also president or chair of many local organizations: Hickman County Imagination Library, Hickman County Family Resource Center Board, Hickman County Grand Jury, Hickman County Ag Pavilion and fair Board, Leadership Hickman Class of 2005, Centerville Lions Club, Tennessee Nutrition and Consumer Education, Grinders Switch Foundation and the Above the Rim Club. He has served on the board of several other organizations: Hickman County Tourism Association, Hickman County Habitat for Humanity, Hickman County Red Cross, Hickman County Special Olympics and Black Awareness. David was also a member of the Clay Harris Theater Group.

David was also a very spiritual member of Centerville Church of God and Hope Church. He would leave one service and go to the other. He was known to praise God wherever he was, so he fellowshipped with many Churches through his voice of praise.

Preceding David in death was his brother-in-law, Michael Newsom.

Left to mourn his death is his mother, Rozella Dansby; siblings: Joe (Harriet Lewis) Dansby, Rosetta Dansby, William (Willie Mae Buckley) Dansby, Zellla (Billy) Davis, Nancy Newsom, Abner (Steve Burts) Dansby, Donna Reels, Ruth Jones, and Josephine Keene. Very devoted and special great Nephews: Rodqualis and Lavontriz Dansby. Brothers and sisters in love: Edwinter Myles, Donna Bradley, Mike (Dawn) Orton, Johnny and Wayne Blade.