Charles Wayne Davis

Charles Wayne Davis, 84, born in Helena, AL, raised in Baton Rouge, LA, and a long-time resident of Mobile, AL, was surrounded by his family and friends on December 1st, when he stepped from time to eternity and met his Savior, Jesus Christ, face to face. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sharon Booth Davis; two sons, Jeff Davis of Semmes, AL, and Mark (Tabetha) Davis and grandsons Noah and Hutch of Bay Minette, AL; nieces Tara (Paul) Spickard of Alexander City, AL, and Allison (Jay) Jackson of Pride, LA, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Rosa Davis; his sister Kay (Tommy) Rowland; and numerous aunts and uncles.

As a child in Helena and Baton Rouge, Wayne loved fishing, hunting, and sports. Following a family move, and in order to finish his education at Istrouma High School, he had to choose between baseball and work to provide himself transportation. He chose the latter. This led to a strong work ethic and love of vehicles which never left him. After graduation and completing his degree at Louisiana State University, he entered flight school for the United States Navy in Pensacola with eventual assignment to RVAH-11 out of Sanford, FL, as a Reconnaissance Attack Navigator in the RA-5C Vigilante. After three consecutive tours in Vietnam, one on the ill-fated USS Forrestal in 1967 and then in 1968 and 1969 on the USS Kitty Hawk completing 115 combat missions, he chose to come home. He married the love of his life in 1970 and began a 40+ year sales career in various fields. From Lipton Tea to Sun Engine Analyzers, Zatarain’s to Smith’s Bakery, White Lily to Hunter Alignment machines, if a grocery store or auto shop existed from 1970-2011 along the Gulf Coast, they all knew the name Wayne Davis.

Throughout all those years, his trust in and dedication to the Lord was unwavering. Whether onboard a carrier at war, years spent as a Gideon, decades as a deacon and Sunday School teacher, or just over the meals at the family table, his voice echoed prayers of blessing and protection that could only be sourced from the Father. His legacy of humility, commitment, and showing the love of Jesus in practical ways will live on through the countless lives he impacted. We are comforted in the hope that he is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord and that those in Christ will see him again one day soon.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mobile, AL, (5601 Zeigler Blvd.) with Brother Rocky Pugh officiating. The family will receive friends Friday at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Pine Crest Cemetery West.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Nancy Kittredge Jellison Scholarship Fund in memory of the wife of Captain Robert Jellison. Captain Jellison specifically chose Wayne as his RAN and through three tours of combat forged a trust and friendship that remained until his final days.