James Edward "Bud" Davis

On May 17, 2025, James Edward “Bud” Davis shed his earthly pain after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease and left us two be with his heavenly Father. He was surrounded by the love he had nurtured all his life.

Bud was born on March 1, 1938, in Laurel, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents James Robert “JR” Davis and Minnie Merle Davis of Laurel, two sisters Elizabeth Robinson and Bobbie Jean Watson.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Emily Lindley Davis, two sons Duane Davis and Mike Davis, two stepdaughters, Christa Smith Gogstad and Beth Smith Brown, five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. In his youth he was an Eagle Scout with the kind of childhood and friends that is hard to come by these days. Then to college at the University of Mississippi earning his degree in Business and forever an Ole Miss Rebel.

After college he worked side by side with his father at Bob Davis Cafe in Laurel. Moving on to Tennessee to work for the Holiday Inn. His final calling was in Athens, Georgia. He accepted a position with The University of Georgia where he was the Facility Manager of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. That is where he met Emily. Many wonderful trips all over the world, precious friends and enjoying grandchildren. Always Bulldog fans attending all the games including some away games.

A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, May 29, at 2:00 p.m., in the Bernstein Funeral Home Chapel. Military honors will be rendered by the Georgia Army National Guard.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in his honor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to St. Mary’s Hospice, PO Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.