Obituary for
James E. Davis
James E. Davis, 72, of Elkhart, IN died peacefully at 12:00 noon on August 9, 2017 and entered into Christ’s comforting and healing arms. He is already greatly missed.
Dad was born on November 24, 1944 in Athens, Alabama, to Wesley and Mary Lou (Martin) Davis; he was one of nine children. He was raised in Limestone County and by the age of four, he once told us, “I was chopping cotton to help my family survive.” Dad was a visual and hands-on learner; he could do almost anything that needed to be created or fixed. School wasn’t his thing and after completing the tenth grade he began to do what came natural to him – “work for the joy of looking over your shoulder at the end of day and seeing something completed.” Dad retired from Beck Corporation after 38 years of lifting steal frames and welding them. In that past four or five decades, people from all over Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties called upon dad to do small home repairs; Dad loved helping people. In fact, this was dad’s main love language and living legacy.
On March 4, 1966, dad married Lutie M. Nitchell at the Limestone County Courthouse in Athens, Alabama. Dad was married to the love of his life for fifty one wonderful years and from their love came three boys. Dad used to always say when we were kids, “Life’s rough, but ya gotta be tough.” We’re trying, dad, we’re trying. Mom and dad put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and raised their sons at First General Baptist Church of Osceola. They weathered many storms together and dad was always there to help his sons in good and bad times. From dad and mom’s union have come three daughters-in-laws, seven grand-daughters, one grandson and three great grand-children. Dad will always be the world’s best Pawpaw!
Dad is survived by his wife and three sons, Neil (Kelli) Davis of Mishawaka, Wade (Brenda) Davis of Elkhart and Mark (Audrey) Davis of Goshen; seven grand-daughters: Robyn (Matt) Gable, Crystal (Matt) Hogan, Mariah, Taylor, Sarah, Naomi and Olivia; a grandson: Wesley; three great grandchildren: Zoe, Isaac and Hailee. Dad is also survived by four sisters and one brother, several brother/sister in laws, many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 pm, Friday, August 11, 2017 in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy, Osceola, IN 46561. Dad’s Celebration service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Chapel Hill, with one hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. The family prefers memorials to be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545.
