Wayne Samuel Davis

Belmont- Wayne Samuel Davis, 79, entered into Heaven on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at CaroMont Regional Medical Center with his loving family by his side.  Wayne was born in Gaston County on April 30, 1943 and was the son of the late Sam and Ethel Kinley Davis.  Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Betty Barnett, Nellie Huffman, Barbara Duvall.

Wayne was a graduate of Ashley High School and shortly after graduation, he began his passion in Funeral Service and was employed at Carothers Funeral Homes in Gastonia and Belmont for over 25 years. After graduation, Wayne served in the United States Army in Vietnam, where he was a gunner on an assault Helicopter.    After his discharge from the U. S. Army, he worked for the Ford Motor Company in their Auto Parts Warehouse on Wilkinson Boulevard in Charlotte.  Wayne then went back to work for Carothers Funeral Home in Belmont for several years. 

Wayne was of the Church of God faith and grew up in the South Gastonia Church of God.  He loved people and everyone loved Wayne, he always had a smile for everyone and was quite a jokester.  He enjoyed listening to George Jones and especially his song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today”.  Wayne’s greatest loves were his family, especially his wonderful loving wife, Sharon and loving daughter, Jennifer and husband Tony and grandson, Jay and wife Carmi.  Wayne just loved everyone!

Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sharon Wilson Davis; loving daughter and her husband, Jennifer and Tony Jackson; His Fur Baby, Marcy; grandson, Jay Jackson and wife Carmi; sister, Louise Atchley;  5 grand dogs, M.J., GiGi, Xina, Cooper, Oshie; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive family and friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2023 at Union Road Church, 2315 Union Road, Gastonia and the Celebration of Life Service will be 12:00 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Union Road Church with Rev. Jonathan Walker and Rev. Tim Lee officiating.

Interment will follow in the Singing Tower Section of Gaston Memorial Park with Military Honors by the North Carolina National Guard and the Gaston County Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to: Gaston County Toy Run for Kids, 122 Dallas-Bessemer City Highway, Dallas, NC 28034 or URChurch, 2315 Union Road, Gastonia, NC  28054.

This is by his daughter, Jennifer: What a perfect devotion I came to this morning … on this earth my daddy did his share of suffering… he’s fought mental demons from the war in Vietnam to fighting for his life with cancer at the age of 32 to heart issues, diabetes, and most recently the struggles & fears of dementia & Alzheimer’s. The only time I ever really saw fear with him was his open-heart surgery, but I believe he feared “losing his mind” more. Through all he has been through he kept faith & believed whole heartedly in the power of prayer. He was a warrior. Despite my broken heart, despite knowing that I won’t hear him call me “baby” again, despite I won’t get to argue with him again, despite he won’t pat me on my hand just like my grandma used to …. I know that know … he is in Heaven, whole, happy, walking tall free from pain, free from demons of depression & free from memories of war. He is reunited with my grandparents; family & friends and I know I will join them one day & oh what a day of rejoicing that will be. For now, through my grief. I rejoice for him & for now, I treasure my memories of the best daddy this girl could ask for!

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com  

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.