Elray Flexon Davis

Pearce’s Mill - Mr. Elray Davis, 92, of Cumberland County, NC died peacefully April 23, 2021 after a stroke and brief hospitalization at Cape Fear Valley.

He was born August 31, 1928 in Trinity, NC to the late Essie and Gough Davis.  Elray was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Katy Welsh Davis, and his siblings Truett, Curtis, Marion Sibley and Ethel Taylor.

Elray was raised during the throes of the Great Depression, and moved with his family 11 times before his 18th birthday to find sharecropper opportunities across the Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina.  He was a devout Christian, who taught Sunday school for many years.  He volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army before he worked at McMillan-Shuler Oil Company then went on to have a career in the U.S. Post Office in Fayetteville and Autryville, from which he retired in 1994.

Following his retirement, Elray devoted his time to family and especially his late wife.  He played Santa Claus at the Hope Mills Plaza for several years during the Christmas Holidays.  “Papa” always looked forward to watching his descendants in ball games, car races, beauty pageants and school competitions.

He is survived by 3 sons: Charles (Stefanie) Davis of Fayetteville, Timothy (Lisa) Davis of Fayetteville and Mitch Davis of Canfield, OH; 3 grandchildren: Kayla (Anthony) DeMino of Raeford, Andrew Davis of Fayetteville and Garrett Davis of Coats; 2 great-grandchildren: Cason and Braxton DeMino of Raeford and 5 siblings: Frieda Evans of Stoneville, Bessie Ardizzone of Beaverton, OR, Jacqueline Draughon and Richard (Pat) Davis of Fayetteville and Murl (Martie) Davis of Lumberton.

Visitation will be held at Carroll Memorial Baptist Church, located at 2220 Camden Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28306, Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 1:00 PM. A Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Baker officiating. Interment will be conducted at Davis Family Cemetery, Raeford, NC 28376.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the immediate family requests no visits at their homes, but welcome phone and video calls.

Arrangements for the family are entrusted to LaFayette Funeral Home of Fayetteville, NC. On-line condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com