Ray Davis, 80, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died Friday, January 9, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, January 11, 2015, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Steve Hand and the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Tim Hall will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 Saturday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Davis was born June 27, 1934, in Wilcox County, Georgia to the late Emmet & Bessie Idell Beall Davis. A 1953 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, he served his country honorably in the National Guard. Mr. Davis, along with his family, operated Davis Land & Cattle. He was a lifelong farmer who made his living from the soil and respected the resources God entrusted to him. He loved to fish when his farming allowed time and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lane Davis of Fitzgerald; a son, Kenny & Debra Davis of Fitzgerald; a daughter, Lea & Brandon Phillips of Fitzgerald; his grandchildren: Kendra & Kevin Day of Cordele, Kenny Ray & Crystal Davis, Allen Davis, Raylea Phillips, and Clay Phillips, all of Fitzgerald; great-grandchildren: Kenlea Davis, Jillian Davis, Brady Davis, and Blake Davis; and five sisters: Margie Harris and Mary Davis, both of Fitzgerald, Dale West of Harlem, Judy Dale and Brenda & Donald Wiggins, all of Fitzgerald. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Patsy Revels and two brothers-in-law, Clyde Harris & Earl Dale.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Mt. Olive Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Milton Huggins. 709 Ocilla Highway, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.