Julius E. Davis Jr.

DALZELL – Julius Elbert Davis Jr., 88, widower of Helen Cain Davis, died Monday, April 30, 2007, at his home.

Born in Davis Station, Clarendon County, he was the oldest son of the late Julius Elbert Davis and the late Altha Galloway Davis. Mr. Davis moved to Sumter County, where he graduated from Hillcrest High School. He served in the U.S. Navy for four years, serving in the Pacific, where he participated in the search for Amelia Earhardt. After World War II, he joined his father in farming, where they established the largest turkey growing and processing plant in South Carolina. He was active in the S.C. Turkey Federation and served as a director of the National Turkey Federation. He was a member of the S.C. Market Commission and also served as assistant manager of the State Farmers Market and later as manager of the Florence Farmers Market.

He was a lifelong Methodist and was former member of the Dalzell United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities as a Sunday school teacher and member of the board of trustees. For the past three years, he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He served on the Sumter County Board of Education. He was instrumental in the founding of Thomas Sumter Academy and also served as chairman of the board of trustees.

He was devoted to his family and his home, Orange Grove. His hobby was gardening and he enjoyed planting flowers until his death.

Surviving are a son, Julius Elbert (Joye) Davis III of Dalzell; two daughters, Patricia D. (Julius) Smith of Atlanta and Jenny D. Dennis of Dalzell; six grandchildren, Charlotte D. Smith, Shannon D. McCutchen, Julia H. Davis, Daniel M. Dennis IV, Davis C. (Vanessa) Dennis, and Jenny-Lee Dennis; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, James Meynardie, and two sisters, Myrtis and Ruth.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, May 3, 2007, at the Sumter Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Reginald Thackston and the Rev. Mickey Bell officiating.

Pallbearers were James R. Davis, John M. Davis, Richard E. Davis, Tommy Laney, Billy Joe Langston and Steve Morris.

Honorary pallbearers will be H. Curt Edens, Robert Galloway, Dr. Lea Givens, Carl Livingston and Bobby Sigley.

Memorials may be made to Epworth Children’s Home, P.O. Box 50466, Columbia, S.C. 29205.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory of Sumter was in charge of the arrangements.