James Davis

JAMES ARTHUR DAVIS was born on May 16, 1951 to the late Ella Jane Thomas in Bennettsville, South Carolina. In his earlier years, he grew up in Bennettsville, SC where he attended Wright High School, Blenheim, South Carolina, until he relocated to Philadelphia where he continued his education.

After high school, JAMES joined the United States Army on May 28, 1970. While in the army, he joined the airborne unit where he served as a paratrooper, which included service in the Vietnam war.  After his military service, JAMES worked at the Philadelphia naval shipyard. While in Philadelphia, he met the late Ann Webster and spent many years helping her raise her two sons, Derrick and James Webster. They were very fond of him and considered him as a father and he considered them as his sons. They will miss him very much.

JAMES returned to Bennettsville, SC where he worked various jobs using the skills he acquired in Philadelphia. JAMES was a genuinely compassionate man and generously shared his life experiences and wisdom with others. He was a person of smooth words, had a sense of humor and enjoyed laughter. Fishing with his cousin Derrick was one of his favorite pastimes, even though they caught few fish. He loved to dance and cherished spending time with family and friends. JAMES was also a person of resilience. Even though he lost the fight, throughout his illness he was a true fighter. He will truly be missed by his family and friends.

Preceding him in death was his beloved mother, Ella Jane Thomas, his baby brother, Timothy Thomas, and his uncle Leroy McIver.

JAMES leaves to cherish his memories: six siblings, Annabel Thomas, Marvin Thomas, Barry (Nita) Thomas, Roger Thomas, Tina Thomas, and Joseph (Christyn) Thomas. Four aunts: Bessie Davis, Helen (Willie) Simmons, Cleo Milner, and Paulette McIver. Three uncles: Willie J. Davis, Jr., Carl McIver, and Lawrence Davis and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:30 am at Bethea Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Florence National Cemetery.

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