John Milton Davis

John Milton Davis was born to Willard Milton and Una Belle Mahon Davis on January 26, 1930, in the small town of Clanton, Alabama. He was the oldest of six boys with two older sisters. Upon graduation from high school, he left Alabama to attend Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where he met the love of his life Gena Chesshir. They married December 24, 1950, and enjoyed 48 years together until her death, February 13, 1999.

John earned his undergraduate degree working in the college cafeteria making breakfast. The early morning duties not only taught him how to make delicious omelets and homemade biscuits, but also developed in him a pre-dawn work ethic he maintained until his health no longer allowed it. While raising his family and beyond, it was his habit to work in his office or print room from 5 to 7 am, go home and eat breakfast with his family, and then return to work. When work, counseling, or meetings were over, only then would John return home. His commitment to God, his church family, and his community came first.

John’s decision to attend Harding College was the result of a recruitment visit to his church congregation by Cliff Ganus, who later went on to become one of Harding College’s presidents and John’s lifelong friend. It was at Harding that John confirmed his decision to become a preacher, a goal he had carried since his youth. After graduation, he began his career in New Orleans, LA, preaching for the Carrolton Avenue Church of Christ. A few years later, he and Gena moved to New Boston, TX, where he preached for the New Boston Church of Christ. In 1955, they welcomed a baby boy, Mark, and the couple became a family. In 1957, John began working with the Rose Hill Church of Christ in Texarkana, TX, and they completed their family with a baby girl, Melinda. In 1959, John moved his family to Beaumont, TX, where he served the Ridgewood Church of Christ congregation for more than fifty years. He devoted himself to working for God, participating in mission campaigns, speaking at and attending the Harding University lectureships, and preaching across the globe.

In addition to preaching, John was an active community member wherever he lived. As a student at Harding, he worked with the Red Cross in relief efforts after a tornado devastated the nearby town of Judsonia. At 27 years of age, with a toddler at home and a newborn on the way, he served as a board member for the Bowie County Child Welfare Board in Texarkana. John also served as an Executive Board member for Mental Health Southeast Texas in Beaumont for a number of years and was an active member of the Kiwanis club for more than 40 years. While enrolled in college, John worked as a summer counselor at Camp Tahkodah, igniting his lifelong goal of providing young people with an opportunity to study the Bible while enjoying camp life. He served as president of the Camp Red Oak Springs board from 1960 to 2010. John and Hubert Franks were founding figures of Camp Red Oak Springs, and their legacy lives on by the Franks/Davis Pavilion erected at the camp this past year. John was also a marriage and family counselor for decades. In addition, John was a teacher, having taught “Bible history” at French High School and “Home and Family” at Beaumont Christian High School.

John’s hobbies included a love of music, hunting and fishing when he had the opportunity, and most especially printing and flying. At the beginning of his preaching career, he acquired an offset printing press to produce church bulletins. Over the years he upgraded and took pleasure in printing such things as business forms, stationery, invitations, envelopes, memo pads, announcements for church members, friends, and family. He spent countless hours in his print shop, confirmed by his ink-stained fingers and frequently smashed fingernails often caught between ink rollers. His passion, though, was flying. On the rare occasions when his schedule was free, he would “bore a hole in the sky,” as he loved to say. He was an excellent pilot and an even better storyteller about his many flights. A favorite story was when he and Melinda, then 5-months pregnant, were forced to do an emergency landing in a pasture near Newport, AR, due to a severe thunderstorm.

John was preceded in death by his parents, W.M. Davis and Una Belle Davis of Tuscaloosa, AL; his wife Gena Chesshir Davis; brothers, Willard Davis of Tuscaloosa, AL, Paul Davis of Auburn, AL, and Wayne Davis of Morrilton, AR; brothers-in-law, Thomas D. (Buddy) Woods of Stone Mountain, GA, Howell Kennedy of Birmingham, AL, and William H. Handy of Texarkana, AR; sister-in-law, Martha Davis of Morrilton, AR, and former sister-in-law, Jane Davis Pennington of AL. John is survived by his son, Dr. Mark Davis and wife, Laura, of Shirley, AR; daughter, Dr. Melinda Barnett and husband, Del, of Beaumont, TX; grandchildren, Blake Barnett and wife, Laci of Texas City, TX; Megan Milich and husband, Dan of Beaumont, TX; Erin Mize and husband, Josh of Cabot, AR; great-grandchildren, Paxton Davis Jones and Mazzy Rose Milich of Beaumont, TX, and Davis Edwin Mize and Luke Thomas Mize of Cabot, AR; sisters, Peggy Woods of Decatur, GA; and Faye Kennedy of Pelham, AL; brothers, Roy Davis and wife, Dixie, of Shreveport, LA; Hubert Davis and wife, Vyneeta, of Lawrenceville, GA; sisters-in-law, Neva Handy of Texarkana, TX; Barbara Davis of Tuscaloosa, AL; Gayle Davis of Auburn, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to give special thanks to John’s loyal and devoted caregiver for over eight years, Ms. Lori White. Thanks also goes to his other precious caregivers, Mrs. Patsy Bass, Ms. Vera Wells, Ms. Rosie London, and Mrs. Kimberly Ancelet Overholser.

Services will be conducted through Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Beaumont, TX, with burial in Nashville, AR, at Restland Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to:

Camp Red Oak Springs-Franks/Davis Pavilion, P.O. Box 2019, Kountze, TX 77625;

Meadows Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 5126, Beaumont, TX 77726; or the

Church of Christ Student Center at Lamar University, 1018 E. Virginia St., Beaumont, TX 77705.