A Celebration of Life for Mr. John Davis, 78, of Hillsboro will be noon Friday, September 14, 2018 at Canaan M.B. Church in Hillsboro with the Reverend Ronald Merriweather officiating and inhumation to follow in Davis Cemetery. The body will lie in repose one hour prior to the funeral. Visitation will be today from 6 to 7 p.m. at Reynolds Funeral Home. Public viewing will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
John was born to Natus Thomas Davis and Mary Lewis Davis on February 20, 1940 in Hillsboro. He departed this life on September 9, 2018 at his residence.
He confessed hope in Christ at an early age and became a member of Ebenezer Church. He later became a member of Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Church in Decatur.
Known to many as “Big John,” he truly represented the name when he entered the world weighing 12 pounds and growing to be 6 feet 7 inches tall. To many he was larger than life. Even as a child, his siblings and cousins looked up to him and followed his lead. As a 1958 graduate of Tennessee Valley High School, he recounted many interesting stories, all of which were fully detailed that would transport his audience back in time. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.
John was a passionate farmer throughout his life. He poured his heart and soul into working numerous acres of land. In addition to farming, he was also blessed to be able to work as a carpenter. Later, John worked with General Motors and eventually retired as a truck driver. Although, farming was no longer his livelihood, he loved working the land and grew beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his sister, Doris Gill; and brothers, Thomas Stovall and Marvin Davis.
He is survived by his loving wife, Inell; his four children, Gregory (Mary) of Decatur, Garland (Cheryl) of Huntsville, Barbara (Robbie) of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Wanda of Athens; two sisters, Margaret Williams and Thelma Davis, both of Decatur, Georgia; one uncle, John (Estelle) Lewis of Harvest and one aunt, Josephine Curry of Madison; two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren; a special great-great-nephew, Katrell Scruggs, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
