Charles Eugene Davis

Charles Eugene Davis, age 91, went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior, on January 23, 2026, at his home in Byrdstown, Tennessee.

Charles-known to many as Chuck-was born on May 20, 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts, the eldest son of Herbert E. and Eilene (Toika) Davis. He grew up in the inner-city neighborhood of Roxbury, where he attended grade school and graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School. During his teenage years, Chuck held numerous jobs to help support his family, developing a strong work ethic that would mark his entire life. He went on to graduate from Gordon College with a B.A. in Philosophy, Gordon-Conwell Seminary with a MDIV and later earned a Master of Religious Studies from the University of Virginia. It was while attending Gordon College that Chuck accepted the Lord-a defining moment that transformed his life and set the course for decades of faithful service. From that point forward, God led Chuck on many adventures, including a blind date that introduced him to the woman who would become his beloved wife, Muriel Leonard.

Chuck and Muriel were married on September 12, 1958, in Blue Ridge, Virginia. Their marriage was blessed with four children. Chuck began his ministry as pastor of Glade Creek Baptist Church in Blue Ridge before joining Africa Inland Mission (AIM), with whom he served faithfully for 48 years before retiring to Florida. Most recently, he moved to Byrdstown, Tennessee, to live with his daughter.

As missionaries, Chuck and Muriel studied French in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, before being assigned to the Ituri Forest station of Banjwadi in the Republic of Congo. During their service there, they endured a harrowing trial when they were taken captive as political prisoners. Chuck was imprisoned, while Muriel-pregnant and caring for two young children -was confined with other missionary families at a mission station. After 111 days, they were rescued by Belgian Para Commandos and Cuban Exile CIA Trained Commandos and returned safely to the United States. In 1966, Chuck and Muriel, along with their three children, returned to the Republic of Congo, where they served for an additional twelve years.

Upon returning to the United States as a family of six, they settled in Vinton, Virginia. Chuck continued his ministry with AIM as a Campus Representative, traveling throughout the country to speak with college students about missions and the joy of serving the Lord. Among the highlights of this season were his many years attending Urbana Mission Conferences.

Chuck is survived by his son, Steve Davis and wife Debbie of Ligonier, Pennsylvania; three daughters, Beth Taylor and husband Dr. Bill Taylor of Byrdstown, Tennessee; Susan Falero of Chapin, South Carolina; and Judy Fitzgerald and husband Joel II of Ness City, Kansas; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Betty Yackels of Florida; and his brother, Herbie Davis and wife Bobbie of Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Muriel; and his sister, Mary Guilfoyle.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Byrdstown, Tennessee, on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Ness City Cemetery in Ness City, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Byrdstown Building Fund, PO Box 189, Byrdstown, TN 38549 or to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607