Josephine Davis

Josephine Wollam Davis passed away at her residence on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 after declining health. She was 96 years old, born on November 12, 1927 to Ellis Clayton and Lula Holmes Wollam in Tupelo. She graduated from Tupelo High School and Mississippi College for women. She then earned a Master’s degree in Secretarial Science from the University of Mississippi. She taught business classes at Belden and Sherman High Schools and Itawamba Junior College, now ICC, before becoming a full-time homemaker. She met her husband of 71 years when he visited his old high school in Sherman. The principal introduced them in the hall, citing her as the “rising star” of the teaching staff. They were married at Bissell Baptist Church on April 5, 1953. After marriage they lived briefly in Fort Lawson, Oklahoma where Robert was stationed during the Korean War. They returned to Tupelo to spend their remaining years. She enjoyed playing bridge and gardening, being in several bridge clubs and garden club. She was a dedicated member of the Eastern Star serving in many roles including Worthy Matron. She was a lifelong member of Bissell Baptist Church and a wonderful mother, wife, and friend to all who knew her. Josephine, known as “Momma D” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was adored by everyone.

She was reunited with her parents, her sister, Dorothy Mae, and many wonderful friends.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Lafayette Davis; her daughters, Nancy Moore (Carl) of Lynchburg, Virginia and Frieda Carlisle (David) of Tupelo; her grandchildren, Kristen Miller (Matthew) of Germantown, Tennessee; Susan Ashley Bozeman (Clarke) of Spring, Texas, Davis Moore (Peyton) of Burlington, Vermont, Dixon Piccagli (Paul) of Lynchburg, Virginia, Andrew White of Houston, Texas, and Ashton Moore of New York City, New York. Great-grandchildren include Miles, Eva, Austin, and Emmy Miller, Josephine and Esther Bozeman, and Stori and Hughes Piccagli.

Josephine spent the last year with excellent caregivers, Tannis Crabb, Kay Whiteside, Connie Kingsley, Jean Monts, Cheryl Cayson, and a special friend Alisa B. Hersey, with numerous other caregivers over the years. A special thanks to North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice.

Visitation will be at Bissell Baptist Church at 1p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024 followed by a service at 2:00, officiated by Tommy Winders. Burial will follow the service at Lee Memorial Park in the Masonic section. Pegues Funeral Home in Tupelo is honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Pallbearers are Matthew Miller, Clarke Bozeman, Andrew White, Davis Moore, Paul Piccagli, and Miles Miller.

The family requests memorial gifts in Josephine’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospiital, Bissell Baptist Church, and the American Legion Post #49.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.