Chester L. Davis

Chester LeRoy Davis, age 92, of Blountville, entered into Heaven on Friday, May 31, 2013, after a brief illness. He went to his new home while listening to Psalm 23 through 27 with his family by his side. He was born on January 9, 1921 in Canaanville, Ohio, and was part of a pioneer family that settled Wise and Dickenson Counties in Virginia. He moved his family to Blountville, Tennessee in 1966 and resided there the rest of his life. Chester was always very patriotic, with a deep love for his country, and he, along with his brother Walton, joined the Army 2 months after Pearl Harbor and fought in WWII. He received an honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant. Chester was also a very intelligent and wise man, self-educated and disciplined. He was a master in several crafts that included being a heavy equipment operator with his own excavating company, as well as a sign painter who introduced the first gold leaf lettering technique in Wise County. He also was an award-winning artist whose work is featured in several office buildings in Coeburn, VA, as well as a cabinetmaker whose cabinet shop produced many beautiful pieces of furniture including pulpits and remembrance tables for local churches. He worked at Holston Defense Corporation for several years, retiring in 1984.Chester was never content to “exist” through life, but lived each moment to its fullest, believing life was truly a gift from God. He was a humble, honest, hard-working, loving, compassionate husband, father and friend to all. His philosophy of life is summed up in one statement he often said: “Just be a Christian in every situation.” He was a member of Davis Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Coeburn, VA – a church founded by his father, Rev. Simon Peter Davis in 1926.Chester is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Hassie Davis of the home; his daughter, Anita Sue Davis Jones, husband Hal, of Kingsport, TN; his sons: Gregory L. Davis, Kingsport, TN, Brian A. (Tony) Davis, Church Hill, TN, Rev. Bradley T. (Terry) Davis and wife Sandra, Blountville, TN; his grandchildren: Melissa (Anthony) Stone, Karen (Jim) Malpas, Kevin Davis, Aimee (Craig) Light, Josh (Amanda) Davis, Nathan Davis, Rebekah (Dale) Perry; seven great-grandchildren; his brothers-in-laws: Joe (Jerri) Davis, Bernard (Julia) Davis; his sister-in-laws: Vicey (Clyde) Looney, Velva Davis, along with many nephews and nieces.Chester was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Simon Peter Davis and Ida Beverly Davis; brothers: Ralph, Walton and Fred and sister, Jessie Ruth Davis.The family will receive friends on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral Service will be conducted on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Brad Terry Davis, Rev. Josh Davis and Kevin Davis, officiating. Special music will be provided. Interment will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Hogan and John Burchinski. Full military honors will beconducted by The American Legion Hammond Post # 3 and Gate City Post # 265. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 1016 Old Airport Road, Bristol, Virginia 24201 or to Davis Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, 11407a Lyons Fork Road, Coeburn, Virginia, 24230.

Please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence for the family. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the Davis family.