Andy "Ray" Davis

Andy Ray Davis passed away on February 4, 2026. Ray was born on January 22,1940 to the late Lee Bell & Hattie Steele Davis ~ weighing in at just 3 lbs!

Ray grew up in a Christian home and faithfully loved The Lord. He started working on the family farm as a young child and quickly learned what it meant to be a hard-working young man. He was a very active member of the Future Farmers of America earning the Star Farmer Award, the Star Dairy Farmer Award and was the district winner of the Farm Electrification Contest. He graduated as Salutatorian of Wesley Chapel High School in 1958.

He was truly proud to be an American and served seven years in the US Army National Guard. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Brenda Patterson. This led to a 60-year marriage which blessed them with two daughters and five grandchildren.

Anyone who knew Ray knew him as a hard worker, from "sun up to sun down". Once his father, Lee Bell, decided to retire he & his older brother Donald became partners of Davis Dairy which they continued to run for nearly 40 years. During that time, he and Donald were honored as Farm Family of the Year at the 2004 NC/SC District Fair Farm City Celebration.

Ray was a faithful member of Union United Methodist Church. Although he did not have much time for hobbies, he enjoyed hunting and bowling in his younger years. He also served with the Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years. Later in life, he enjoyed "tractor pulling" where he developed lifelong friendships with Earl Wingard and Frank Brawley.

Ray wasn't always a man of many words, but he always greeted others with his contagious smile!

Ray is survived by his loving and truly devoted wife, Brenda P. Davis, daughters Shirley Davis Walser, Ginger Edwards (Shaun), sister Doris Thurman and grandchildren Cameron, Ryan, Collin, Ashton & Morgan ~ we will truly miss him. He leaves behind several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces & nephews that he loved.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee Bell & Hattie Steele Davis, and siblings Vivian Davis, Donald Davis, Jerry Davis & Ruth Patterson.

The family would like to thank The Post at Wesley Chapel for the devoted care & kindness they showed Ray and for standing by his side when the Lord called him home to finally rest.

If desired, memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church or the North Carolina Future Farmers of America (ncffa.org) .

Heritage Funeral Home - Weddington Chapel is honored to serve the family. Services will be Sunday, February 8th. Visitation at 2:00 pm, service at 3:00 pm – 3700 Forest Lawn Dr. | Matthews, NC 28104.