DeVere Holdridge Davis' Obituary
DeVere Davis age 96, of Moravia, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 11,2023.
DeVere Holdridge Davis was born on November 4, 1926 in Roxie, MS, the son of William Watkins Davis Sr. and Thelma Holdridge Davis.
DeVere graduated from Roxie High School in Roxie, MS. He was united in marriage to Bettye Neill on November 13, 1955 in Utica, MS. DeVere and Bettye had three children; Neill, Wanda, and Gisele.
DeVere spent his childhood years living in Mississippi, always surrounded by and loving the railroad, as his father was the Roxie Depot Agent. He eventually worked for the Illinois Central/Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, where he retired after working for them for 32 years.
DeVere served his country faithfully in the United States Army. He served in the Heavy Mortar 155th Division during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged January 3, 1954.
DeVere loved his family and his Lord. He was a member of the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene.
DeVere is survived by his daughter, Gisele Davis Chapman (Terry) of Moravia, daughter-in-law Trudy Davis of Denham Springs, LA, and son-in-law Johnnie Dixon of Petal, MS, six grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren, one brother Fred H. Davis of Hattiesburg, MS., and numerous nieces and nephews. DeVere also loved his neighbor girl and friend, Jessica Self, like she was one of his own grandchildren.
DeVere was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye Davis on June 18, 2013; and his parents, son Neill Davis, daughter Wanda Dixon, granddaughter Kim McDonald Thompson, brothers WW Davis, Jr. and Leslie Davis.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Friday, April 14, 2023 at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in Moravia with Reverend Terry Chapman, Reverend Jonathan Hall and Reverend Mark Wagner officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow the service at Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia. Visitation will take place Friday, April 14, 2023 at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene with the family greeting friends from 10AM-11AM. Memorials in honor of DeVere may be made to Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene or EveryStep Hospice of Centerville, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: DeVere Davis family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page.
DeVere's service can be live-streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/devere-davis
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