Claude Montgomery Davis, 74, of Tifton passed away Monday, September 9, 2002, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2002, at the Memorial Chapel of Tifton's First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Wayne Roe and the Rev. Paul Thomas officiating. Mr. Davis was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Davis' cousins, Dr. F. Morris Davis, Lester Howard Davis, Homer Davis Allison, Grady G. Davis, Billy T. Davis, Dr. Joel Johnson, James Johnson and Roger Thornhill served as pallbearers. The first five pallbearers listed served as pallbearers for his, James H. Davis, in 1954.
Born July 31, 1928, in Tifton, Mr. Davis was the son of the late James Howard Davis and Mollie Lee Hayes Davis. He was also preceded in death by one son, Richard Montgomery Davis; two sisters, Betty Davis Moore and Mary B. Davis Mumford; and his grandparents, James Montgomery Davis and Minerva Hurst Davis, who came to Tifton in 1905 and were charter members of Tifton's First Primitive Baptist Church.
Educated in Tifton public schools and also a graduate of Georgia Military College, Mr. Davis served two years in the United States Navy, receiving honorable discharge in 1950. He married to the former Carol Ann Cooper on June 25, 1950.
In his young adult days, Mr. Davis was associated in business with his father in the operation of Davis Plant Farms and served as Postmaster and physical plant manager at Abraham Baldwin College under Dr. Pete Donaldson. For 40 years, he was an owner/partner of Davis Nursery along with his wife. Additionally, Mr. Davis was the proprietor of Gazebo Antiques and a member of Tifton's First Baptist Church, having joined as a youth.
He was a kind and gentle person who helped many people in his lifetime.
Mr. Davis had a love for American History, especially the Civil War years and was a knowledgeable numismatist. His wonderful sense of humor was displayed bravely to the end. His memory will be loved and cherished by his family and friends.
Mr. Davis is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Cooper Davis of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Howard Brooks "Dave and Yancey Atwater Davis; one daughter, Bonne Davis Cella; one daughter-in-law, Vicky Davis Gordy; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Kimberly "Kim" Lee and Greg Carey, Jennifer Michelle "Jenny" and Jon Garrett, Nancy Rebecca Davis, Katie Elizabeth Davis, John Montgomery Davis, Anthony "Tony" James Cella and Christopher "Chris" Montgomery Cella; three great-grandchildren, Mollie Carey, Hannah Carey and Ryan Davis Garrett; one sister and brother-in-law, Sara and Charlie Majeski; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert J. "Bob and Martha Ann Davis and James S. "Jim" and Hilda Davis; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.