L B Davis, 97, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, September 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in the family home in Pearl River County, MS near the Silver Run community on August 11, 1926 to Rob and Allyne Davis. He served his country in WW II in the United States Army in the Philippines and after his discharge he enrolled at Mississippi State University where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education and his Master Degree in Entomology, serving for a time as president of the Mississippi Entomological Association. He operated Davis Ag Consultants for many years. He enjoyed raising honeybees and was a member of the American Beekeepers Federation and the Mississippi Beekeepers Association where he served as president. He was a Lee County Election Commissioner until the age of 90. He was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church and following the words of Christ in Matthew 28:19, he shared his faith in the jail ministry and through his work with The Gideons. He was an avid hunter and fisherman but his greatest joy was his family.

Services will be 3 PM Thursday at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Yates officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

He is survived by his children, Ed Davis (Gloria) of Leland, Lynn Battista of Palm Coast, FL and Jim Davis (Leanne) of Tupelo; nine grandchildren who affectionately called him "Daddy B", Blythe Hamburg, Carolyn Clark (Whit), Sarah Webb, Michelle Gilmore (Kris), Kelly Dykes, Antonio Battista (Aleka), Austyn Goss (Wendell), Grey Davis (Jordan) and Anna Walker Davis; seven great-grandchildren, Abby, Zach, Catherine, Alyson, Ruby, Wayland and Lena; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 73 years, Willene Davis; two sisters, Sylvia Davis Odom Rester and Mary Davis Ladner.

Pallbearers will be Antonio Battista, Grey Davis, Paul Dykes, Wendell Goss, Whit Clark, David Barry, Rob Edwards and Kris Gilmore. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry W. Jones, Pete Harris, Charles Warren, Dickie Rhea, Bill Klein, Gen. Ed Mitchell and Thomas Grimes

Visitation will be at 1 - 3 PM Thursday.

Memorials may be made to The Gideons International through their Memorial Bible Program.