Eathen D. "Deke" Davis

Eathen D. “Deke” Davis, 87, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on August 24, 2020.

He was born on December 10, 1932, to Emmett and Bessie Davis. He was born in a house on Aberfeldy Street in Port Wentworth and was a resident of Port Wentworth, GA, until moving to Bloomingdale, GA, in 2001. He followed in his father’s steps and was employed by the Savannah Sugar Refinery. He retired after 40 years and became a member of the Over the Hill Sugar Gang. While Deke was in high school, he was also a member of the Marine Corps Reserves. His number was called while he was still in school and he left high school to “join up” at the age of 16. He served proudly as a Marine in Dog “D” Company in the Korean War. He later became president of D Company. He was a past member of American Legion Post 199 and attended the American Legion Post 135 because of his being a part of “D” Company. In 1953, Deke married Lois Arledge and they began their family. As a young man in Port Wentworth, Deke was involved in the Port Wentworth Jaycees (achieved Exhausted Rooster status) where he served as treasurer, served on the City Council, and coached recreational football and baseball. While in the Jaycees, he was active in helping build the fountain in Port Wentworth on Hwy. 25. One of Deke’s proudest moments was receiving his high school diploma from Rincon High School 67 years after leaving school to serve his country. Deke attended Lower Black Creek Primitive Baptist Church in Ellabell, GA

Deke is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois Arledge Davis; sons Eathen D., Jr. (Bunny) of Garden City, Mike (Toni) of Guyton, and Theron (Pat) of Port Wentworth; grandchildren Amber Gonsalves (Mike Ange) of Rincon, William (Corrie) of Kodiak, AK, Marcus (Donna) of Bluffton, SC, Jessie of Port Wentworth, Victoria Chesler (Justin) of Guyton, Andy (Bridgett) of Rockford, AL, Eathen D. III “Trey” (Dojuana) of Guyton; his great-grandchildren Caleb Gonsalves (Gabby) of Guyton; Aaron Gonsalves of Guyton; Luke Wendorf of Waukesha, WI; Nora Davis and Leeya Davis of Kodiak, AK; Piper Roderick of Savannah; Jaxon Chesler of Guyton; and Alexis Williams of Guyton; and one great-great grandchild, Adalynn “Addie” Gonsalves.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 27, from 10:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Port Wentworth. The service will follow at the church at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Masks are required and it is asked that social distancing be practiced in accordance to CDC guidelines.

Please sign our online guestbook at www.bakermccullough.com

Services have been entrusted to Baker McCullough Funeral Home Garden City Chapel, 2794 West US Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408. (912)964-2862. www.bakermccullough.com