Hulon Davis
95, Columbia
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at First Baptist Church of Columbia for Hulon Davis, 95, of Columbia, who passed away on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Hattiesburg. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery. Dr. Bryant Barnes, Rev. Chad Davis and Rev. Tom Thurman officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10 at Hathorn Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until the time of the services on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at First Baptist Church of Columbia.
Born in Tylertown, he grew up in the Little Improve Community and graduated from Dexter High School. At the onset of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army and bravely served our nation during the second wave on the beaches of Normandy. After being critically wounded during deployment, he was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, a Purple Heart, a combat infantryman’s badge and a victory ribbon. Once stateside, he married his wife of 59 years, Gerry Beets, with whom he raised their three children. After her passing, he was married to Helen Spell Davis, and they shared the last 11 years together.
As a longtime resident of Marion County, he retired after working for 35 years as a sales manager at Columbia Motors. Most important in his life was his faith in God and his love of family. He served as a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church for many years and as a member of First Baptist Church having served as president of the Burgess Sunday school class. Some of his favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing and gardening, and in recent years, just being surrounded by his family and friends was most important.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Carrie McCain Davis; wife, Geraldine Evelyn Beets Davis; one brother, William Davis; two sisters, Elsie Kennedy and Exie Stringer, and one son-in-law, Dr. Bryan McCraw.
Survivors include his wife, Helen Davis of Columbia; two sons, Richard Davis (Jane) and Mike Davis (Sara), both of Columbia; one daughter, Sybil McCraw of Columbia; one sister, Nell Crain of Pine, La.; eight grandchildren, Abbey Bourne (Robert, II) of Brandon, Amber Pittman (Grant) of Mandeville, La., Rev. Chad Davis (Carmen) of Hattiesburg and Barry Davis (Sara), Reagan Davis, Emily Rayborn (Jay), Scott Davis (Carol) and Nicholas Davis (Lindsey), all of Columbia; and a number of great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Scott Davis, Chad Davis, Nicholas Davis, Barry Davis, Reagan Davis, Rob Bourne, Grant Pittman, Jay Rayborn, Austin Bourne, Chance Davis and Davis Rayborn.
Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.
Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia was in charge of the arrangements.
