Larry Davis
Larry Davis, of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, passed away at his home on September 12, 2024, with his loving wife of 59 years, Ann Davis (Johnson) at his side. He was 76.
Larry was born at his home in Soddy Daisy and delivered by his father, Samuel Alexander Davis on his 50th birthday, Feb. 17, 1948. His mother, Lossie Lee Davis (Parker) was quite proud of them both.
Larry grew up and went to school in Soddy Daisy. On May 8, 1965, he married his high school sweetheart, Clara Ann Johnson. They moved to Nashville, with Ann’s niece, Linda Morrison (Johnson) and her husband, Terry Morrison. There Larry worked for Check Printers International and was a valet parking car at night. On Aug. 23, 1968, the couple welcomed their first and only child, a baby girl that stole her daddy’s heart, Michelle Lee Davis (Shelly). In July of 1970, Larry brought his family back to Soddy Daisy where they remain today. Larry spent the majority of his life working in the printing industry at Ling-Faidly Printing, Top Flight, and Arcade Printing Company. During a mid-life crisis he explored several options and obtained his GED, got his real estate license, flipped houses, built a cabinet shop and co-owned a car lot with his oldest brother, James Davis (Shirley). Later in life he became an over-the-road transporter for Bennett Transport of Bristol, In. Even after retiring to be at home with his family, Larry continued to work to provide for his family and to be sure that his wife would be taken care of when his time came. He was a courier for Access Pharmacy in Hixson.
Larry was a soft spoken, very kind and quite man, a real gentleman. Being a man of his word, the words that he did speak, he only intended to say once. As a true perfectionist he gave his best to everything he set out to do. He will always be remembered by the example he was of what a true man should be. Larry was a loved and respected man of God and a man of pure integrity. A loving and devoted husband. After 59 years of marriage he still held my momma's hand, opened doors for her and still took her on dates. He raised me by the words of the Bible. He taught me right from wrong, how to love, how to forgive and that there would be consequences for the poor decisions that I would make. He also taught me how to tie my shoes and to ride a bike. (And why you don’t shoot at bumble bees with a bb gun.) Most of all he showed me what unconditional and never dying love is.
If you knew Larry, you loved and respected Larry. Though he was a quiet man who didn’t want attention drawn to him, he stood out in whatever crowd he was in simply because of his demeanor (and his beautiful hair). The light of God beamed from him. If he called you his friend, you had a true friend, a faithful friend. Larry adored his family and his fur babies, D.J. and Bella. He was passionate about God, his country and his guns. He stood firmly for what he believed in.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Lossie Davis; his sisters, Estelene (Don) Newsome, Freda (Peanut) Stevens (Ford), Barbara (Tom) Kirby and a brother, James (Shirley) Davis and several nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ann Davis (Johnson) and his daughter to whom he will always be the greatest man she’s ever known, Michelle Lee Davis (Shelly). Larry has two grandchildren, Wesley Luthringer and Rikita Casey; four great-grandchildren, Alexis Luthringer Tate (Josh), McKinley Luthringer, Arianna Jones and Shevie Shevelle Casey-Ashley; one great-great-grandson, Wesley Ryder Luthringer; one brother who also shares the Feb. 17 birthday with Larry and their father, Johnny Fate Davis (Pat); one granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Hudspeth. He has many who call them their Pa.
We would like to make a special mention of two very dear friends and spiritual mentors, Herlie and Cookie Leffew.
There are so many that we would like to thank for the roles they played in the care of my daddy. The Doctors and nurses at the Heart Institute, the staff at the Soddy Daisy Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Fowler, Dr. Pigg and Dr. Gunther. Thank you to the ladies from Hearth Hospice, Gabby (his angel), Theresa and Whitney. Also, our immense gratitude to daddy’s gorilla- Chuck Hackler. We couldn’t have had daddy at home without you.
Visitation will be on Monday, Sept. 16, from 3-8 p.m. at Union Fork Baptist Church, 350 Lee Pike, Soddy Daisy, and on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Services will follow at 1 p.m., also at the church.
Speaking of Larry’s life will be Bro. Don Kelley, Bro. Rocky Bradford and Bro. Jeff Meyers.
Larry will be laid to rest with his parents and siblings at Smith Cemetery, 9335-9305 Smith Cemetery Circle in Soddy Daisy.
Serving as pallbearers will be his nephews; Ray, Jerry, Ricky and Robbie Davis, Chuck Hackler, Chris DeForest, Dennis Lofty and Ricky Casey. Honorary pallbearer; Richard (Truck) Presley.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson and Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, Tn. 37379.