Edward Eugene Davis

Old soldier Edward Eugene Davis faded away Thursday, October 27, at his residence in Dothan following a lengthy, but bravely fought illness. Thirty-two of his 80 years were devoted in service to his country. Fifty-six years and nine months were devoted to his beloved wife Jimmilene who survives him. Ed was born May 26, 1927, at his grandmothers home in Lincolnton, North Carolina. During his formative years, Ed moved with his family to Atlanta, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama; where he attended Murphy High School before joining the Marine Corps at age 18. Ed served in the first occupation forces in Japan and China following the close of World War II. After his separation from the Marine Corps, he won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Once at Annapolis, Ed decided a career as a Navy engineer (the only option available for a graduate at that time) was not the right choice for him. He resigned his appointment to Annapolis and moved to Dothan where his father William J. (Bill) Davis had taken a job as City Editor of the Dothan Eagle. Bill took Ed to work and introduced him to front desk receptionist Jimmilene Fletcher, which began a beautiful romance that continues to the present. Ed and his "Jimmie" were married in Dothan January 13, 1951, on the telephone in the foyer of Jimmilenes parents Grady and Arline Fletcher. Jimmilenes brother Reverend Doctor Maurice Fletcher performed the ceremony from the frozen north in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. The happy couple began a life together and apart as Ed enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, while Jimmilene stayed in Dothan and worked at GMAC Finance. At Mercer, Ed was enrolled in ROTC. He fulfilled his ROTC obligation by taking a commission as an officer and a gentleman (by act of Congress) in the United States Army in August 1953. Eds 28 years in the Army included two tours of duty in Vietnam and other assignments at home and abroad. During his 32 years total military service, Ed was recognized with numerous awards and commendations and still managed to earn baccalaureate and masters degrees from the University of Alabama and an educational specialist degree from Troy State University. Following his retirement from active duty in 1981, Ed and Jimmilene moved back to Dothan where they attend First Baptist Church. Ed devoted his time extensively to the church by assisting with Habitat for Humanity projects, working at the Family Life Center, driving various church buses, and preparing tax returns for residents at Baptist Village. He loved golf and bowling and crossword puzzles and eating in restaurants. He could rewire a stove and make curtains. He sang bass and taught his two daughters the words and tune to every decent song thats ever been written. Some indecent ones, too. He and Jimmilene traveled thousands of miles together by land, sea and air and loved going anywhere as long as they were together. Ed was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Aline Davis; his sisters Marguerite Chandler and Frances Wilson; half-sister Marie Allen; half-brother Jim Davis; and nephew Craig Chandler. Also preceding him in death were his mother- and father-in-law Grady and Arline Fletcher; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Woodie and Sarah Menta Fletcher. In addition to the incomparable Jimmilene, Ed is survived by his daughter Janet Richardson and her husband Don Richardson of Dothan and Aiken, South Carolina; daughter Gail Wilder and her husband Jim Wilder of Dothan; grandson Dan Wilder of Fairhope; numerous nieces and nephews. Other survivors include brothers-in law and sisters-in-law Maurice and Sarah Carolyn Fletcher and Dwain and Becky Fletcher. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 13, at 11 oclock at the chapel of the First Baptist Church in Dothan, Dr. John Fain and Reverend Bob Gross officiating. Family will receive visitors at the chapel one hour prior to the service. Ward Wilson is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Alabama Baptist Childrens Home or other charity of the donors choice. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Wiregrass Hospice for their care given to Mr. Davis and his family.