Wayne Morris Davis

January 16, 2023
Wayne Morris Davis Wayne Morris Davis

Wayne Morris Davis, 83, of Sardis, Texas, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville. A funeral service will be on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home with Brother Mick Guess officiating and Masonic Lodge # 83 Terrell Lodge Alto conducting Masonic Funeral Rites. Burial will follow at Sardis Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Wayne was born October 28, 1939 in Galveston, Texas to Chester Leon and Leona Mueller Davis. He graduated from Pasadena High School in 1957 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and graduated with degrees in Agricultural Science and Administrative Education. After graduation, he became active in many civic affairs in Kennard, Texas. These included Kennard Evening Lion’s Club, of which he was a charter member, Kennard City Councilman, and Past Master (1972) – Coltharp Masonic Lodge #419 AF& AM.
He worked for the Crockett Independent School District from 1970 to 1982, first as a junior high science teacher and vocational teacher, then later served as vocational administrator. During the summer, Wayne worked for Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area as a lifeguard and park ranger for the U. S. Forest Service.
His favorite pastime was working in his yard and he began growing various varieties of daylilies. Subsequently, he worked as vocation supervisor and horticulture teacher for Windham School System and Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Rusk, Texas. While living in Sardis, Wayne was active with Master Gardeners. He continued raising his beautiful daylilies and shared them with family and friends through Cherokee Hills Daylily Farms.
He was active in the Masonic Lodge #83, Terrell Lodge Alto. He had achieved the level of 32nd Degree Mason and participated frequently in conducting Masonic funeral rites.
Wayne was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Frederic Marion and Ottie Mae Thames Davis; uncles, Clayton Davis, Clifton Davis, and Carlton Frederick (Cowboy) Davis; parents, Chester Leon Davis and Leon Mueller Davis Bilski; siblings, Phillip Michael Davis, twin brothers, Dale Allen and Gale Fred Davis; sister, Betty June Davis Kimes.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathie Sue Berry Davis of Sardis, Texas; step-daughter, Kimberly Gilbert Lovelace and husband Dale; grandchildren, Ashleigh Carnes and J. D. Hask; great-grandchildren, Kirby and Clover Welch; daughter; Karen Davis Mendenhall and husband Greg; grandchildren, Caroline Elizabeth Mendenhall, Austin Taylor and wife Lauren Dykes Mendenhall; great-grandchildren, Cormac Gregory Mendenhall and Charlotte Elaine Mendenhall; daughter, Stephanie Davis Hazzard and husband Michael; grandchildren, Hunter Layne Hazzard and Blake Allen Hazzard; aunt, Mary Frances Davis Alexander, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Greg Mendenhall, Austin Mendenhall, Michael (Hap) Hazzard, Hunter Hazzard, Blake Hazzard, Richard Kimes.