Charles "Buddy" Thomas Davis

Charles “Buddy” Thomas Davis, 85, went home to the Lord Jesus Christ on Monday, November 6, 2023 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS, after a brief illness.

Born in Tupelo, on August 27, 1938 to Homer Gay and Kate Williams Davis, Buddy was raised in Tupelo where he graduated from Tupelo High School with the class of 1957. From there, he attended Mississippi State University for a year before returning home. On July 2, 1960, he married Joyce Moreland Davis, his loving wife of nearly 55 years. In 1964, he ended eight years of service with the Mississippi Army National Guard as a Sergeant, Rank E-5. He would then go to work as a forester for the Mississippi State Forestry Commission for 33 years before retiring.

Buddy was a man fiercely dedicated to Jesus Christ, constantly studying and serving in several capacities in his local church. At West Jackson Street Baptist Church, he served as deacon and Sunday school director. At Harrisburg Baptist Church, he could be found pouring into the Men’s ministry, serving in FAITH Evangelism, teaching preschool Sunday School with Joyce, and in building the Lodge on the church’s campus.

Buddy is remembered by his family as a man rich with wisdom and care. He took joy in sitting down with his children and grandchildren in order to impart what he had learned in his life and was never one to shy away from a deep conversation. As quoted by one of his granddaughters, “[he] had an Atticus-Finch-like wisdom, the kind that makes you sit forward and listen.”

Buddy is survived by his three children, Wendy Davis Fil (Joe) of Huntsville, AL, Brian Davis of Las Vegas, NV, Brad Davis (Selena) of Tupelo; four granddaughters, Rebecca McQueen (Alex) of Huntsville, AL, Mary Fil of Birmingham, AL, Megan Hollis (Jacob) of Walls, MS, Kristen Davis of Tupelo; and one great-grandchild, Atticus Christian Thomas Hollis. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents, Homer and Kate, and his sister, Diane Howell (Don).

Visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2023 and 12 until 2 p.m. Saturday, November 11 at Pegues, Tupelo

A service celebrating his life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson Street Chapel with Dr. Forrest Sheffield officiating. Graveside services will follow at Tupelo Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Alex McQueen, Jacob Hollis, Brad Davis, Brian Davis, Joe Fil, and Steven Howell. Honorary pallbearers will be Bennie Crumpton, Blu Logan, Doug Whitington, and Dr. Chuck Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo MS 38803
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.