Herbert V. Davis

Herbert V. “Bubba” Davis died Sunday, March 3rd at Methodist Nursing Home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was 86. He is now joyfully reunited with his loving parents and his recently deceased, beautiful wife, Jane, the true love of his life.

He was born June 20, 1937, in Pine Bluff to Ida Reba Stevenson Davis and Vernon Roy Davis, a carpenter and general contractor. Herb’s parents were hard-working, God-fearing, faithful partners who set an example for marriage, parenting, worship and child-raising that Herb followed diligently and respectfully. From an early age, he trailed his daddy, helping him dig ditches, handing him tools, roofing, cleaning up. He learned to appreciate the satisfaction of a day’s work done well. When a school counselor suggested that he might not be college material, his beloved shop teacher disagreed and admonished him to go anyway. Herb graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1955, then attended Arkansas Tech and the University of Arkansas to become an engineer.

While he was at the University of Arkansas, he met Harriet Jane Goodwin. He completed his engineering degree in January 1960 and married Jane that same year on June 11. His first job after college was at Harding Glass in Fort Smith. The couple remained Fort Smith residents for the entirety of their 63 years together.

After 16 years at Harding Glass, he spent two years at North American Foundry, then conquered the arduous demands of coursework and professional testing to become a Certified Professional Engineer, and landed a job with the company now known as EDM Consultants, Inc. There he built a 38-year career specializing in commercial heating and air conditioning systems for clients such as Whirlpool, Georgia Pacific, and numerous Native American health care facilities in Oklahoma. He also spent more than 30 of those years designing and overseeing rural water systems throughout Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

Herb leaned heavily and prayerfully on God’s guidance. He often recounted a memory from his teens in which he was sitting on a curb in front of Pine Bluff High School, asking the Lord what he should do next in his life, asking God to watch over and guide him as he made decisions about his future. He felt led to join the U.S. Naval Reserve to pay for college but prayed that he could complete that part of his life prior to starting a family. His eight years in the Reserve concluded within a month of his first child’s birth.

It was with that kind of rock-solid faith that Herb held multiple leadership positions in First Baptist Church of Fort Smith, including roles as Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Evangelism Explosion leader, participation in youth activities, and serving on the Building & Grounds Committee. He was a principled man who both served and led, but most of all, he loved and cared about people with a compassionate, tender heart.

Whether at church, at work, at home or in service to his community, Herb always held to a do-it-yourself ethic and was usually up to his elbows in a project. He also enjoyed gardening and building but was probably happiest fishing or spending time at the lake with family. He was easily recognized among the other boating enthusiasts by his iconic, metal V-hull boat that he called “Risky.” Other family members called it Maytag or Silver Bullet, and it still graces the carport on Reeder Street today.

Herb is survived by his sister, Verna Jean Davis Carter of Marion, Ark.; one son, Louis Davis of Springhill, Tenn.; one daughter, Barbara Davis Woodring and her husband David of Fort Smith; four grandchildren, Drake Davis, Sydney Davis, Woody Woodring and Abigail Woodring; nine nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Harriet Jane Goodwin Davis; a sister, Betty Zane Davis McKenzie of Pine Bluff; and a brother, Russell Lee Davis of Pine Bluff.

Public viewing will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday, March 8th at Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith.

Services will be held on Monday, March 11th at First Baptist Church, Fort Smith, with visitation beginning at 12:00 PM, funeral service at 1:00 PM, followed by graveside remembrance and burial at Oak Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in honor of Herbert V. Davis should be given to First Baptist Church’s Faith Forward fund, P.O. Box 609, Fort Smith, AR 72902, or go to www.fsfbc.org .