Charles T. Davis

Charles T. Davis, age 78, died on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at his home in rural Vienna from congestive heart failure. He was born March 11, 1932 in Morgan County Illinois. Charles was the only child of Thomas and Thalah (Russell) Davis, both of whom preceded him in death. Charles was joined in marriage to Emma E. Nixon in Willisville, Illinois on January 11, 1958. She, along with the four children from their 52 years of marriage, survive. Charles was also preceded in death by his uncle, Delbert Davis, and his Aunt, Blanche Gunn. Charles' children are Tina Eastwood, and her husband Randy, of Ellis Grove, Illinois; James Davis, and his wife Ladona, of Harrisburg, Illinois; Robert Davis, and his wife Sandy, of Calvert City, Kentucky; and Mary Ann McLaughlin, and her husband Craig, of Cypress, Illinois. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and cousins - Roy, Lorraine, & Diane. He will be especially missed by his good friend, Bob Rentfro, among others. Charles was a graduate of Southern Illinois University Vocational Technical Institute. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954 and was stationed in Germany and France. He was a farmer in his younger years before becoming employed as a highway maintainer by the Illinois Department of Transportation. He was affectionately known as "Gravy" to many of his co-workers. A stroke at the age of 59 was a mixed blessing for Charles. Though leaving him somewhat physically disabled, forcing him into an early retirement, the stroke brought about a renewed interest in his family and allowed Charles time to expand his knowledge of literature and history. He became quite the Civil War buff. Charles greatly enjoyed poetry and fine literature. A trip to his neurologist, Dr. James Metcalf, was more of a social call, as they shared and extolled the virtues of literature they each had read or were reading. Dr. Metcalf once said that Charles was by far his most literate patient. Charles was able to strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He enjoyed going to yard sales where he often picked up good books, shared conversation with others, and met many new dog friends. Charles loved dogs and dogs seemed to naturally gravitate to him and adore him. Once he met a dog friend at a yard sale, he could pass the house two or three years later and point out that that was where Spot or Prince lived. He will be sadly missed by his ever faithful and loyal Chihuahua dog, Chuckie, who took it upon himself to remain vigilant and protective of Charles during his final weeks. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at 11 AM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Rev. Bill Gholson will officiate. Burial will be in the Bridges Cemetery, southwest of Vienna. Military graveside rites will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post 5222 of Vienna and the Illinois Burial Honors detail. Friends may call from 5 - 8 PM Tuesday at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to Lourdes Hospice, PO Box 7100, Paducah, KY 42002-7100 or to the Humane Society of Southern Illinois, PO Box 291, Carbondale, IL 62903.

Charles T. Davis

March 11, 1932 - August 8, 2010