James Davis

Mr. Davis, 88, of 4403 Willowmoss Way, Southport, NC, formally of Shelby, NC, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2009 at New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington, NC. A native of Cleveland County, he was retired from Fiber Industries Inc. Following his retirement he worked for Woodbridge Country Club. Mr. Davis was raised in the Flint Hill community and educated in Cleveland County Schools. He and his wife Mescal Wilkie Davis were married August 7, 1943. They raised their family in Shelby, NC and have lived in Southport, NC for the last four years. Jim enjoyed gardening, golfing and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, who knew him best as "Daddy Jim".Mr. Davis served in the US Army from 1939 - 1945. He was a member of the 550th Airborne Infantry and served as a scout. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Stars, American Theater Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge with wreath, Silver Service Star and the Prisoner of War Medal.
Mr. Davis was preceeded in death by his parents Roe Davis & Zora Blanton Davis, brothers Boyd, Ernest Lee, Boyce Wilbur & Henry Gallant Davis, and a sister Ruby Morris.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 65 years Mescal Wilkie Davis of the home, two daughters and their husbands Karen Griffin & Tom of Southport, NC, Tiffany Vincent & Ronald of Greenville, NC, and grandchildren Melissa Whalen & husband Peter, Reid Griffin & wife Jenny, Beau Benfield & Wallace Benfield, and also five great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Jim Brackett.
Memorial may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 2222 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28402, or Westview Baptist Church, 500 Melody Lane, Shelby, NC 28152, or Bethel Baptist Church 1628 N. Howe Street, Southport, NC 28461.