Larry Davis

Larry Davis, 81, of Covington, passed away on Friday, May 3 at his home.  Larry’s academic studies began at Charleston Elementary School.   From there, he attended Byars Hall High School in Covington and after graduation, he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where he earned a B.S. Degree in General Agriculture.  While at UT Martin, he served as president of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He continued his education at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he earned an M.S. Degree in Genetics.  Further studies at Mississippi State University and UT Martin secured his teacher certification.

Larry has been a farmer, farm manager, researcher, crop advisor and Vo-Ag teacher.  He began his life’s work in 1967 as a Field Man for the TN Farmers CO-OP and assisted with Farmers Forage Research which became a full time job from 1974 until 1977.  In 1978, he began farming full time.  Beginning in 1985 and until 1989, he taught Ag classes at Munford High School.  He then served as the farm manager at the Agricenter from 1989 until 1992.  In 1993, he went back to teaching, this time teaching math.

Beginning in 1993, he served with distinction as Safety Director for the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. He was one of the first persons to hold such a position in the entire Cotton Belt. He pioneered a movement to improve gin safety with procedures and standards using his own unique skills.   Larry’s work has reduced accident rates at gins and as a result ginners pay sharply lower premiums for their liability insurance.  The annual savings amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in addition to a reduction in loss of life and limb.  

Larry was a member of and served on the board of directors of the Memphis Agricultural Club.  He served as the president in 2004-2005.  In 2006, Larry was named the Agribusiness Member of the Year by the Memphis Agricultural Club for his distinguished service to agriculture and the organization.  

Larry was widely known and well respected throughout the area and in several different agricultural circles.  

Larry was a member of the Covington First United Methodist Church and was actively involved in the church for many years.  He leaned heavily on his faith and he prayed every day for wisdom and understanding.  

Larry loved his family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them.   An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, traveling and birding.   

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bettye Kinney Davis; one son, Justin (Amanda) Davis of Atoka; one daughter, Larissa Davis of Arizona; one brother, Mike (Patsy) Davis of Charleston; one sister, Carolyn Witt of Memphis; four grandchildren, Stone Davis, Scout Davis, Alayna Nelson and Ben Cooper; one great grandchild, Waylon Nelson; three nephews, Keith Davis, Nathan Davis and Rob Witt and one niece, Lauren Witt. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Mary Davis. 

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, May 11 at the Covington Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow in the Charleston Cemetery.  The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. and until service time at 12 noon.  

The family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital , Charleston Methodist Chapel, C/O Sandra Robinson, 50 Tabernacle Rd., Covington, TN 38019 or the charity of the donor’s choice.