James L Davis

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1

Mr. James Lavender Davis was born October 23, 1936, in Blue Springs, Alabama, to the late Rex and Esther Davis. His 88-year earthly life ended October 9, 2025, and he is experiencing the face-to-face eternity that salvation brings. We celebrate his life and praise God that His promises are true.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Salem Baptist Church with his beloved nephew, Dan Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends following the services at the church.

Mr. Davis lived a life that exemplified a balance of faith, family, and career. He demonstrated the importance of having these elements of life in the correct order. He was a faithful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and placed his faith in him at an early age. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. He loved his church and was always ready to tell how many generations of family were grounded in the Christian faith based on its ministry.

Mr. Davis was a family man. His love of family was manifested in many gatherings for celebrations of holidays, birthdays, and “just because”. His loving wife, Martha Segers Davis, preceded him in death. In addition to Martha and his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Ruth Davis, sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and William Fleming, and a son-in-law, Norman Stubbs.

Surviving relatives include his children, Marilyn Dean (Tommy), Skipperville, Suzanne Stubbs, Ozark, and Jim Davis (Kathy), Tallahassee, Florida; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Davis began his career journey by enlistment in the United States Air Force. He embraced the opportunity to further education that his military service provided and was a graduate of Troy University. He worked many years with Great Southern Wood. These years brought him a fulfilling career, the opportunity to travel, and most important, friendships that have endured even after retirement.

James Davis was a man who valued relationships. As such, in lieu of flowers or charitable contributions, remember him by visiting or calling someone you love.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Patrick Barefield, Tanner Barefield, Jon Dean, Jimmy Lentz, Jordan Nickols, and Chad Christman. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Albert Dean.