Dr. Jimmy Barker Davis

Jim was born in Whitwell, Tennessee to Leo James and Jessie Barker Davis. They moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee when he was nine years old. Jim loved growing up in Oak Ridge. He graduated from Oak Ridge High, and then attended The University of Tennessee Knoxville where he studied pre-med. He married his high school sweetheart Mary McCall the spring before he entered The University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis. They chose Chattanooga as their new home where he opened his General Practice with medical school classmate, Jim Hedden. He had been in practice eight months when he was drafted into the Army. The family spent two wonderful years in Colorado Springs. After that, they returned to Chattanooga where he resumed his practice at Lakeside Clinic on Highway 58. He retired at 65 years old.

He settled into retirement and focused on his hobbies: growing grapes, making wine, wood working, gardening, painting, and playing golf. After four years he decided he needed to return to work. He joined CHI Memorial’s indigent care clinic in Highland Plaza as the Medical Director. He was thrilled to be back at work focusing on his passion for helping people get well. At 80 years old he retired for the second time. He was voted Distinguished Doctor of the Year in 2017, an honor that overwhelmed him “saying he was just doing the job he loved.” He was very active in First Christian Church where he served as an Elder Emeritus. He was President of the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club from 2002-2003.

He and our mom shared a deep love for each other and “their big ole family” of which they were so proud.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his sister Mary Katherine Gifford and his parents.

He is survived by his sister Joan Stuckey, daughters Libby Gildner (Jim), Angie Conroy (Pat), Jenny Wamsley (Tommy), and son Barker Davis (Kelly), 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. His legacy of gentleness and compassion will be forever remembered and he will be forever missed.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Tuesday December 12, 2023 at 1st Christian Church, 650 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends one hour prior beginning at 10:00 am.

He will be laid to rest alongside his loving wife, Mary in the Beautiful Greenwood Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com