Charles Weidner Davidson (“Sonny”) of Chattanooga, Tennessee went peacefully into the arms of his waiting Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Friday, August 28, 2026 with family and friends at his side. He passed away at Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas after his 8-month hospitalization struggling with heart issues and subsequent complications. He was 75.
Sonny was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Charles William Davidson and Georgia Gurney Weidner Davidson. He is survived by: his brother, Forest Eugene Davidson (“Gene”) and wife, Norma, of New Haven, Indiana; his sister, Mary Ellen Lemm and husband, David, of Plano, Texas; his nephew, James William Davidson (“Jamey”) and wife, Jennifer, and grandniece, Harper (16), of Chicago, Illinois; his nephew, Jason Nathaniel Davidson and wife, Raegan, and grandniece, Mackenzie (13), and grandnephew Oliver (10), of Indianapolis, Indiana; and his niece, Jennifer Elizabeth McKibben and husband, Gary, and grandniece, Alex (11), and grandnephew, Hobson (9), of Hoagland, Indiana.
Faith and family were central to Sonny’s life. He loved Jesus and was a lifelong member of Hickory Valley Christian Church. He graduated from Red Bank High School and attended technical college in Knoxville, Tennessee. He later pursued his dream of becoming a long-haul truck driver and drove for over 35 years with National Freight and S & H Trucking. He loved NASCAR, Diet Pepsi, and almost anything to do with cars (not necessarily in that order).
He was fiercely loyal, not just to family, but also to his friends. He didn’t always have much to say, but there was a gentle and quiet strength in him. If you needed him, he showed up; he stood up for you. He didn’t ask for thanks; he didn’t look for attention. He just kept showing up, doing what was right and being there for the people he cared about.
We celebrate his life and give heartfelt thanks that this is not goodbye forever, only for now – that he is finally at peace, his fight is over, he is healed and whole, and at home in Jesus’ presence.
Services will be held Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel with the Rev. Dale Lovelady officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the Services from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the “Charles William Davidson & Georgia Gurney Davidson Scholarship Fund”. Contributions can be sent payable to Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Dr., Knoxville, Tennessee 37988, with a note that they are in memory of Sonny Davidson, or online at www.JohnsonU.edu/donate with a memorial designation for Sonny.
