James Laylon "PeeWee" Davis, Sr.

CHESTERFIELD, SC: 

  Mr. James Laylon "PeeWee" Davis, Sr., age 94, entered into rest on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  PeeWee lived his life to the fullest until a few weeks ago.  Services will be held at Zoar United Methodist Church, 2842 Zoar Road, Cheraw, SC at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10, by Pastor Billy Jack Johnson, the Honorable Rep. Pastor Richie Yow and Brent Taylor with special music for her Papa by Karla Davis. Burial with military honors will follow in the Davis Family cemetery located within the church cemetery.

The family will greet friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary prior to the service and will celebrate his life with a “Snow Hill Throw-Down” reception in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.

            Born at home, he was a son of the late George Robert and Rassie Turnage Davis of the Snow Hill community in Chesterfield.  He was called PeeWee because he was a small little boy.  Growing up a self-sufficient country boy, he was incredibly strong and had a very high mechanical aptitude that allowed him to build and repair all types of motors and transmissions.  PeeWee graduated from Zoar High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  After his honorable discharge, he worked at Martin Motor Company in Cheraw until he opened his own business.  He was the owner and operator of Davis Garage until his retirement when his son, Jonathan, took over the business.  He continued to consult and advise Jonathan until his passing.  He was a lifelong member of Zoar United Methodist Church and served his church family in any way he could.  He was a charter member of the BWZ Brotherhood, the men’s fellowship of Brocks Mill, Westfield Creek and Zoar churches.

            PeeWee was a Godly man who lived a life of serving others.  He tried to help anyone he could at any time.  He was a NASCAR fan and as long as he was able, he attended the races, drove his truck all over the region and ‘solved the world’s problems’ with his friends at Bojangles every morning.  He enjoyed antique cars and he restored numerous car and truck classics over the years.  He was a regular at the Ruby Cruise-In.  And he loved desserts, especially chocolate.  Of all things he enjoyed, his family brought him the most pleasure.  He was a devoted husband to his wife, Mary Elizabeth, and a wonderful daddy to his four children.  He provided for them, taught them right from wrong and traveled extensively with them throughout the United States in their Airstream travel trailer.  His six grandchildren took his love and devotion to new levels.  He lived to see them all graduate from college, establish their careers and have their own families. 

            He was preceded in death by his parents listed above; three sisters, an unnamed infant, Faye “Bootsie,” and Sarah; a brother, William R. “Bill” Davis; a brother-in-law,  Willis F. “Bill” Robeson; and a nephew, John McPherron Davis.  He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Elizabeth Vaughan Davis of the home;  daughter, Jane Elizabeth Davis Pigg and her husband, Farris of Cheraw; sons: James Laylon “Jim” Davis, Jr. and his wife, Lisa Gaddy Davis of Monroe; George Jeffrey “Jeff” Davis and his wife, Bonnie Lewis Davis of Chesterfield; and Jonathan Vaughan Davis and his wife, Connie Carpenter Davis, of Chesterfield; six grandchildren: Krysta Anne Davis Cearley and her husband, Russ, of Charlotte; Karla Elizabeth Davis Johnson and her husband, Taylor, of Greensboro;  Lauren Catherine Davis Parker and her husband, Matt, of Seattle, WA; Lindsay Elizabeth Davis of Chesterfield; Jeffrey Laylon Davis and his wife, Taylor Armstrong of Odenton, MD; Sarah Lynn Davis of Hartsville; Britt Pigg and his wife, Caleigh of Rock Hill; Brad Pigg and his wife Jessie of Pageland;   great-grandchildren Greyson and Reagan Elizabeth Cearley; Charlie and Harper Johnson; Sawyer Elizabeth and Davis Lindsey; Ellington Graham “Ellie” Byrd;  Baby Parker coming in September; Katelyn, Kenzie and Kolton Pigg; Taftt Pigg;   sister, Peggy Davis Robeson;  sister-in-law, Susanne McPherron Davis; four nephews, Billy Davis and his wife Betty Ann of Ruby, Henry Davis of Chesterfield, Bob Robeson and his wife, Karen, of Chesterfield and two nieces, Denise Gulledge and her husband David of Chesterfield, Dr. Margaret Davis of Chesnee; great-niece Dr. Melanie Davis Gurkin and her husband Zack of Grantsboro, NC and great-nephew Conner Robeson of Chesterfield.

The family would like to express their sincere love and appreciation to their Zoar family, family caregivers Charlene White, Michelle Rollins and Stacey Gooden and the Gentiva Palliative Care team Kristen Sellers, Madison Lewis Sellers, Emily Chamberlain, Denim Moore and Beverly Vaughn.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to his church, Zoar UMC, c/o Debbie Foote, 2472 Zoar Rd, Cheraw, SC 29520; or to his favorite charity, St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, PO Box 3704, Memphis, TN  38101.

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) of Chesterfield, SC is serving the Davis family, and they appreciate the love and compassion Brent Taylor and his staff have given them.