Travis A. Davis

The world’s greatest husband, Daddy, and Pappaw went to be with his Savior on the morning of April 8, 2014. Travis A. Davis, 91, of El Dorado, AR, died in the comfort of his home following a brief illness.

Travis was born on October 7, 1922, in the Shiloh Community of Union County Arkansas to Thomas P and Nellie Haire Davis. He served in the United States Army during World War II in the 332nd Engineers while building Bailey bridges all across England, France, Germany, and Belgium. After returning from the war, he worked with various people including Mr. P. A. Dearing and John S. Benson at Ritchie Grocery Company. Those who knew him in his younger days remember him laying bricks while singing along with Lefty Frizzell. Travis and his brother Wayde operated Davis Brothers Construction Company for as long as he could hold a hammer. He built many fine homes in the El Dorado area and was known for his fine craftsmanship and his fairness, honesty and solid work ethic. By his friends and family he will always be remembered for his tender heart, kindness, generosity, integrity, and making the best fried hot water cornbread anyone ever ate. Travis was a master craftsman dedicated to his family who loved watching John Wayne movies and reading books by Dr. Charles Stanley. His main hobby was loving his family well. He was a member of the El Dorado Carpenters Local and a longtime member of Ebenezer Baptist Church where he served on the building and grounds committee. Travis was devoted to his family and his bride of 51 years, Gladys, who was not just his wife but his life.

Travis was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Jesse Davis, Guy Webb Sr. and Dewey Davis; his sisters Bessie Wilson, Amy Dell Rainwater, Marie Pyle, Blanch Pyle, and Tressie Pyle.

Survivors are his wife Gladys Lawrence Davis, daughter Lawren Angelena (Angel) Cross and her husband Larry of Little Rock; sons Paul Travis Davis of El Dorado and Terry Patryck Davis and his wife Amy of Bowling Green, OH; a brother Wayde Davis of El Dorado; grandchildren Emily Layshock and her husband Jake of Fayetteville, NC; Daniel Davis and his wife Samantha of Bowling Green, OH, and Matthew Cross of Maumelle; and great-grandchildren Peyton “Sweet Pea” Davis and Jake Layshock, Jr.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5 pm to 7 pm at Young’s Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be 10 am, Friday, April 11, 2014, at Ebenezer Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Pelz officiating and Rev. Orvell Bryant assisting. Interment will follow at Burns Ebenezer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Building Fund, 3408 N. Wyatt Drive, El Dorado, AR 71730.

An online registry is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.