IRWIN H. DAVIS
Oct. 20, 1916-Oct. 17, 2008
Irwin Hughes Davis of the Bentonville community of southern Johnston County completed his life's work Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at the age of 91 at Britthaven in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Davis was born in his rural home near Eureka, N.C., in Wayne County on Oct. 20, 1916, to the late Charles Stanton and Lizzie Smith Davis. He graduated from Eureka High School and attended Wake Forest College.
During World War II, he served his country building Liberty Ships at the Wilmington, N.C., Shipyard. He was engaged in farming and livestock production for much of his adult life. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1989 after 31 years of service. Mr. Davis was a charter member and retired fireman with the Bentonville Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a former community leader with 4-H Clubs.
Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Pauline Beasley Davis, in 2000 and by his cherished daughter, Libby Davis Yelverton, in 2005. He is survived by his son, Charles Irwin Davis, and his wife, Kay, of Bath, N.C.; son-in-law, Mike Yelverton of Greenville; and a brother, Bernice Davis and wife, Esther, of Eureka, N.C. His life was enriched by five beloved grandchildren, Scott Yelverton of Greenville, N.C., Cindy Davis Farmer and husband, Michael, of Holly Springs, N.C., Paula Yelverton Main and husband, Greg, and Sarah Yelverton Pittman and husband, Cam, all of Winterville, N.C., and Edward Davis and wife, Angela, of Raleigh, N.C. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Harrison Farmer and Elizabeth Farmer of Holly Springs, N.C., Jadon Main, Madelyn Main, and Davis Pittman of Winterville, N.C., and Christian Davis of Raleigh, N.C. A large and supportive extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews also join in celebrating the good deeds of his life.
Although a regular attendee at church services for most of his life, Mr. Davis' commitment to following the religious teachings of his beloved wife led him in 2000 to become the oldest known member to join Mill Creek Christian Church at the age of 83 years. He attended services regularly as long as his health permitted and remained a faithful and supportive member until his death.
Graveside services will be conducted by the Revs. Jack Anglin and Jerry Burton at the Beasley Family Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at 11 a.m., where Mr. Davis will be laid to rest with his wife. The cemetery is located behind the Bentonville Community Building at 8200 Devil's Racetrack Road, Four Oaks, N.C. The body will lie in state at the gravesite for the hour preceding the service. The family invites all friends and visitors to join them in a fellowship lunch hosted by the ladies of Mill Creek Church at the Bentonville Community Building following the service. The family will later greet friends at the family homeplace.
For those considering remembrances of Mr. Davis, the family respectfully requests donations in his name to the Pauline B. Davis Youth Camp Scholarship Fund at Mill Creek Christian Church, 747 Mill Creek Church Road, Four Oaks, N.C. 27524. Mr. Davis and his family created this fund in honor of his late wife to provide support for church youth to attend Christian Youth Camps and is a favorite charity of Mr. Davis.
Condolences may be made at www.westanddunn.com.
Services are entrusted to West and Dunn Funeral Homes of Newton Grove.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on October 19, 2008 6:18 AM