Joe Ray Davis

Joe Ray Davis, 101, a World War II veteran of Kenton, Tennessee, left this earth and entered his heavenly home on Friday, October 3, 2025. He passed away peacefully at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Union City, Tennessee. Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 8, at First Baptist Church in Kenton, with Rev. Brandon Norton officiating. Graveside service with military honors will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Kenton. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, October 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service on Wednesday.

Pallbearers will be Luke Sanderson, Andrew Nipp, Landon Nipp, Jeff Heathcott, Tim Workman, and Jason Dement. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Character Builders Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, Kenton.

Mr. Davis was born on June 23, 1924, to Grover Cleveland and Vera Mae Hayes Davis of Kenton. He graduated from Kenton High School in 1943, and following a short stint working at Bogle Drug (now Kenton Drug), was inducted into the United States Navy on February 26, 1943. On his first tour with the Navy, Mr. Davis accepted Christ as his Savior as he stood on the deck of the ship. Later, he was transferred to the Second Marine Division, and as a Pharmacy Mate 2nd Class, he ministered to the needs of sick and injured soldiers. He served in the Pacific Theatre and saw service on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, and Iheya before being honorably discharged on February 15, 1946.

Following the war, Mr. Davis was privileged to attend college on the G.I. Bill and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the college that is today known as the University of Tennessee at Martin.

He married the love of his life, Carrie Marie Newmon, on February 9, 1947. They were married for 76 years until her death on July 22, 2023. He served his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Kenton, where he taught the junior department boys’ Sunday School class for several years. Until he was no longer able, he could be found every Sunday morning and evening sitting on the end (window side) of the third pew from the back in the First Baptist Church sanctuary.

For 39 years, he was co-owner of Newmon’s Supermarket in Kenton, where he enjoyed serving his customers. As he went about his daily activities, he humbly lived Matthew 10:7. “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near’.” He was a member of the First Baptist Church Brotherhood, Kenton Merchants’ Association, and Kenton Lions Club. In his spare time, he was an avid gardener and loved to share his produce with family, neighbors, and friends.

Mr. Davis is survived by two daughters, Mary Jo Parker (Jeff) of Austin, Arkansas, and Carolyn Nipp (Tim) of Union City; three grandsons, Luke Sanderson (Julie) of Memphis, Andrew Nipp (Laura) of Union City, and Landon Nipp of Union City; three great grandchildren, Aaron, Austin, and Anna Beth Nipp, of Union City; six nieces and six nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three sisters, Beauton McFarland (J.R.), Omega “Freck” Flowers (Murph), Vera Dell Jones (James); three brothers, G.C. Davis (Bernice), Haynes Davis (Sue), and Billy Davis (Joycelyn).

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Kenton; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis; or Gideons’ International.