James Kendrick Davis, Sr.

James Kendrick Davis, Sr., 87, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia.  He was born on March 16, 1932, in Buckingham County, Virginia to John Washington and Florence Tatum Davis. 

James, or “Buddy” as he was better known, spent his entire life in Buckingham.   He graduated from Buckingham County High School in 1951.  In 1954 he enlisted in the army and served for two years.  Upon discharge, he came home to Buckingham to work.  Working hard was instilled in James and his brothers and sister from a very young age.  He took on several different occupations but spent most of his life working with the love of his life, Glenna, at Davis Service Center or “Buddy’s” as it was commonly called.  For nearly forty years James and Glenna’s service center (convenience store, gas station, garage, and wrecker service) welcomed friends and customers until being sold in 1999.  Buckingham being an agricultural community also provided James with the opportunity for raising chickens, cattle, and hogs.    

Later in years, James did begin to enjoy himself by taking up golf and spending time in Fort Myers, Florida.  While on vacation, he and Glenna had the best of times going to the beach, riding bikes, and just taking time to enjoy each other.

James married Glenna Moss on November 26, 1954, in Buckingham.  They were married for forty-five years until her death in 2000 due to breast cancer.  She was his first and last love and was missed by him every day for twenty years. 

James was preceded in death not only by his beloved Glenna, but by his parents, sister Louise Schultz and husband Vernon, and brothers John W. Davis, Jr. and wife Mabel, Kenneth E. Davis, Jefferson Clyde Davis, and Gordon Maynard Davis.  All are now together.

James is survived by his children Jimmy Davis (Linda), Chris Davis (Ann), and Tammy Davis all of Buckingham.  He was the extremely proud grandfather to Gage (Kierstan), Ethan, Nicholas, and Michael.  The joy they brought “Papa” was endless.  Two very important people in James’s life were his dearest friends Dick and Paula Bland, more family than friends.  Also left behind were dear nieces and nephews and sister-in-law Ressie Davis.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 19th, at 2 pm at Dunkum Funeral Home in Dillwyn, Virginia with interment at the Buckingham Community Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at Dunkum Funeral Home Saturday, January 18th, from 4 to 6 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (501 Saint Jude Pl, Memphis, Tennessee 38105) and Shriners Hospitals for Children (2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, Florida 33607).