Dewey Austin Davis Sr.

Butter was born on November 27, 1932 to Gertrude and George Dewey Davis of Midfield, Alabama, where he grew up on Ninth Avenue in Fairfield Highlands. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1951. After school, he joined the Navy, where he studied aviation electronics. In 1955, he was employed at U.S. Steel in Fairfield, where he worked for more than 40 years as a lineman and electrician and received the nickname “Buck,” passed down from his father who also worked at U.S. Steel for several decades prior.

A devoted husband and father, Butter was married to his beloved wife, Diane Waits Davis, for nearly 50 years, and they raised their three sons while living in Hoover, Alabama. Butter had a one-of-a-kind personality and could talk to anyone. He was known for his humorous stories and remarks and enjoyed making people laugh and laughing at people. He loved serving and spending time with his family, rocking his grandbabies to sleep, fishing at the lake, taking family trips to the beach, sneaking treats to his dogs, deer-hunting with his sons, driving Cadillacs, and watching NASCAR, Alabama football, and Atlanta Braves baseball.

Butter was a longtime member of Shades Mountain Community Church, where he professed faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, and enjoyed serving his church family for many years as an usher.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Diane Waits Davis; his youngest son, Kevin Lee Davis; his sister, Margaret Johnson; his sister, Zella Listerman; his brother, Franklin Earl Davis; and his parents. He is survived by his sons, Austin Davis Jr. (Adrienne) and Doug Davis (Danean); granddaughters, Molly Davis and Emily Davis; grandsons, Matthew Davis and Evan Davis; and several nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

The Davis family will have a private graveside service at Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pelham, where Butter will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving in memory of Butter to the Shades Mountain Community Church Missions Fund at https://www.smcc.church/give.