Davis, Travis - Travis Davis, Christian, husband, father, grandfather, of Okolona, was carried to his eternal home on Thursday, September 21, 2017, after an unexpected illness at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. Mr. Davis was surrounded by his wife and family when he made his peaceful heavenly transition.
Mr. Davis was born in Houlka, MS, on July 4, 1936, to Thomas Levert Davis and Nora Ellen Holladay Davis.
Mr. Davis spent nearly his entire life in Chickasaw County except for the four years he decided his country needed him and he enlisted as a Marine. Upon his return to Chickasaw County, he worked with his father as carpenter. His father was a carpenter as well as a minister and farmer. From carpentry Mr. Davis own occupations ranged from owning a service station, barber (he had a shop in Okolona on Silver Street), and then law enforcement. Upon finishing his Highway Patrolman training he was assigned to Gulfport where he moved his young family for just over a year until he was reassigned to the North Mississippi area where he worked until resigning to run for Chickasaw County Sheriff (there were eight other Davis names on the ballot that year). Mr. Davis then turned to furniture manufacturing where he would spend the rest of his career. His first venture, with three other partners, was DAWS but he soon broke off on his own and founded the extensive Astro brand in Okolona: Astro Lounger Furniture Manufacturing Company, Inc., Astro Foam, Astro Lounge, and even Astro Auto World. He later added Chickasaw Container and several furniture discount stores throughout the State. He built the Mississippi National Furniture Market in Tupelo, MS, which rivaled the markets in Raleigh, NC, and Dallas, TX. Mr. Davis was an active cattleman in both the county and the state, and served as President of the Mississippi Cattleman Association. He also served as President of the Okolona Chamber of Commerce where he moved them out of the red for the first time ever. Always civil-minded, Mr. Davis was active in politics supporting many candidates in Okolona and Chickasaw County as well as at the State and Federal level. He instilled that same sense of serving town and country to his children and grandchildren. Mr. Davis was an avid hunter, especially coon hunting. He raised coon dogs that he sold nation wide to other hunters who shared the same enthusiasm for the sport. Mr. Davis also supported several charities as evidenced by his contributions to churches, schools, individuals, little league teams, and others. Mr. Davis was a regular in the Baptist Men s Sunday School Class, which he enjoyed immensely. He loved old westerns, watching the fights and other sports on TV, and being with his family. Mr. Davis always wanted his family around him especially on July 4th and December 24th to celebrate family, life, and Travis.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife Thelma Ann Peden Davis of Okolona, and his children Ellen Davis Burnham (Thomas) of Brandon, Nora Davis Rogers of Okolona, Travis Bud Davis, Jr. (Beth) of Okolona, Tonya Davis Mathis of Okolona, Nikki Huggins Hester (Toby) of Saltillo, Jess Davis of Okolona, and Travis J. Davis (Cindy) of Saucier. Mr. Davis grandchildren are Ellie Burnham Word (Scott) of Brandon, TJ Burnham of Brandon, Beau Burnham (Rachel) of Pearl, Holladay Burnham Bowman (Kevin) of Brandon, Abby Rogers Inman (Chance) of Bruce, Presley Rogers Lee (Bucky) of Bruce, Trey Davis of Brandon, Kristi White (B.G.) of Fulton, Savannah Davis of Okolona, Haley Grace Mathis Jones (Cameron) of Tupelo, Bella Mathis of Tupelo, Sophie Mathis, of Tupelo, Locke Hester of Saltillo, Jackson Hester of Saltillo, Austin Davis of Okolona, Laney Grace Davis of Okolona, Chays Davis of Dallas, TX, Jessica Davis of Biloxi, Jordan Davis or Saucier, and 16 great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews. One brother Thomas L. Davis, Jr. of Houlka also survives Mr. Davis.
Mr. Davis was greeted on his eternal journey by those that went ahead of him including his parents, sisters LaVelle Davis Vick and Mayelline Davis Rose both of Memphis, TN, brother Glynn Davis of Okolona, brother John Frank Davis of Colorado, and grandson Dallas Cole Davis of Okolona.
The Houston Funeral Home is overseeing the services. Visitation will be held at the Okolona First Baptist Church on Sunday, September 24th, from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Services will be held at the Okolona First Baptist Church on Monday, September 25th, at 11:00 A.M. A private burial will follow in the family Holladay Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be TJ Burnham, Beau Burnham, Scott Word, Kevin Bowman, Trey Davis, and Chance Inman.
Friends and family may leave a message at houstonfuneralhomems.com.