Benjamin Weldon Davis

Benjamin Weldon Davis, 94, of 1452 Vandola Church Road passed away on Friday, March 8, 2013, at Danville Regional Medical Center where he had been a patient for four days. Born August 16, 1918, he was the son of the late Bennie Field Davis and Elizabeth Moss Davis. He was married in March, 1940, to Pearl Lynskey Davis who predeceased him in June, 1989. He later married Frances Blair Hardy Davis who died in July, 2002. In addition to his wives and parents, he was predeceased by an infant daughter and three sisters: Esther Davis Yeaman, Elizabeth Pearl (Pearlie) Davis, and Margie Lynwood Davis. Mr. Davis lived his entire life in Pittsylvania County and graduated from Brosville High School in 1934 at the age of 15. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He began a career at Dan River Mills in September, 1937, where he worked in various supervisory positions before retiring in September, 1981, to care for his ailing wife. While at Dan River, he completed various management courses including studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He was an active member of Vandola Baptist Church from 1932 until the time of his death. He served as a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, and on various committees over his many years of faithful service. He was also a member of the Westover Sertoma Club and the American Legion Dan River Post 1097 for many years. Mr. Davis is survived by his daughter, Joy Davis Biggs and her husband, Benny, of Danville. He is also survived by a grandson: Byron Davis Biggs and his wife Maria of Cary, NC; and a granddaughter, Deidre Dawn Biggs of Raleigh, NC. Other survivors include three sisters: Frances D. Powell, Erma D. Hagood, and Neva D. Scearce, all of Danville; a brother: R. Sanford Davis of Sarasota, FL. He also leaves a stepdaughter, Betty Jo Hardy of Raleigh, NC and her children, Russell Powell of Raleigh, NC and Meredith Riggs of Youngsville, NC. Services will be conducted on Sunday, March 10, 2013, at 3:00 PM at Vandola Baptist Church with Dr. Scott Bortz and the Reverend Bill Soyars officiating. Interment will follow at Danville Memorial Gardens with military rites by American Legion Dan River Post 1097 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 9 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at Wrenn Yeatts Westover Chapel and also from 12:00 noon – 4:30 PM on Saturday at the residence on Vandola Church Road. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial gifts be made to Vandola Baptist Church, 1950 Vandola Church Road, Danville, VA 24541. Wrenn Yeatts Funeral Home, Westover Chapel, is serving the Davis family.