Ivan Price Davis, Sr.

Ivan Price Davis, Sr. passed away peacefully with his family on September 21, 2018 at the age of  98.  Born on September 16, 1920 in Dillwyn he was the youngest son of Thomas Jefferson Davis and Gertrude Price Davis.  He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mollie Pearson Davis and his son Reid Pearson Davis.  He is also preceded in death by his brothers Reid Davis, Thomas Jefferson Davis, Jr, Robert Davis, Eugene Davis, Aubrey Davis, Foster Davis, Gordon Davis, and his sisters Virginia Davis Bocock,  Rosemary Davis Gordon, and Iris Davis Savage.  He was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Dillwyn.

He is survived by his daughter Mary Winston Wise, her husband Harry Edward Wise and their sons Thomas Wise and Jefferson Davis Wise. 

He is also survived by his son Ivan Price “Chip” Davis Jr, his wife Deborah Davis their children Sarah Elizabeth Madison Davis Walker, her husband Walter Lawrence “Beatle” Walker, and Ivan Price Davis III, his wife Casey Dunkum Davis.

Reid’s daughters Leanna Davis Barker and Stephanie Lynn Davis

 In addition he is survived by five great grandchildren Mollie Ruth Walker, Makenzie Walker, Mae Walker, Brice Bailey and Ivan Price Davis IV. 

“Poppi” as he was known by his grandchildren and great grandchildren had a blessed life.  He was born and raised on his beloved Whetstone Farm where he learned the value of rural life.  He graduated from Buckingham Central High School in time to serve in the Army Air Corps in the Second World War.  After the War he entered the College of William and Mary at the RPI Campus where he received a Bachelors of Science. While living in Richmond he found the love of his life, Mollie Winston Pearson, and they were married in 1950.  They returned to Dillwyn after the birth of their first son Chip.  In 1955 he went into business with his brother Aubrey opening Dillwyn Food Center.  At the same time he went to work with Sperry Rand in purchasing where he rose to the position of Chief Subcontract Buyer in his 30 years with the company.

While balancing his career with Sperry and operating a grocery store, Ivan and Mollie had two more children, Mary Winston and Reid.  After the premature death of his brother Aubrey, he was forced to sell the store to purchase his brother’s interest in the farm and take over its operation.  In 1976 he returned to the grocery business with his two cousins, Maynard and Gene Davis, which he continued to operate until he retired to care for his wife Mollie when her health declined.

He was known to be a true product of “the greatest generation”.  While growing up on a farm in the Great Depression and surviving a World War he learned the value of hard work and discipline.  He was able to save the family farm on more than one occasion, keeping it in the family for 100 years.   His true hope was to be able to pass on the love of the land and family to his grand children.  He always used his gruff exterior to hide his warm heart and he was supportive to our county volunteers, church, youth, and civic organizations.  Those that know him well knew he would always help anyone all that he could. 

A special thank you from the family goes to his care takers of the past several years, in particular Mary Coffey, Gayle Robinson, and Bessie Lucia.  The Hospice workers proved to be a most valuable asset to help our family and care givers through our father’s passing.

The family will receive friends and visitors at Dunkum Funeral Home on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 4- 6 pm.

Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church on Monday, September 24, 2018 at 11:00 am with interment at the Davis Family Cemetery on Whetstone Farm.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire Department or First Baptist Church of Dillwyn