Paul Davis

James Paul Davis, 87, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Friday morning, October 27, 2017 in a local healthcare facility.  He was born in Polk County but had lived the majority of his life in Bradley County.  He had been a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church for over 50 years.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War and was a retiree of Bowater with 38 years of service.  He was devoted to his family and especially his wife Helen.  He was also the proud papaw of his five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Helen Joyce Stephens Davis; parents, Mart Davis and Essie Gurley Davis; and brother-in-law, Ed Evans.

He is survived by his children, Debbie Reese and husband Tom, and Paul “Eddie” Davis and wife Lisa, both of Cleveland; five grandchildren, Paige  Freshour and husband Chris of Knoxville, Kyle Reese and wife Lynda of Vancouver, BC, Tara Thomas and husband Adam of Knoxville, Tyler Davis and wife Rachel of Cleveland, and Anna Davis of Chattanooga; nine great grandchildren, Drew, Reese, and Ivy Freshour, Evangeline and Thomas Reese, Landon and Cooper Thomas, Parker and Morgan Davis; one sister, Glenda Evans of Benton; and numerous nieces and nephews and other members of the Stephens family who he considered his family also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2017, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory with Dr. Jay McCluskey officiating.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Tyler Davis, Kyle Reese, Chris Freshour, Adam Thomas, Alan Evans, Ronnie Harbison, Larry Davis, and Bill Houston serving as pallbearers.  Military honors and dove release ceremony with bagpipes will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to North Cleveland Baptist Church, 2815 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN  37312

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Davis family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.