Donnie Davis

Donnie Davis, 71, of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and friends on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Donnie lived the first 67 years of his life in Bay before moving to Jonesboro. He graduated from Bay High School in 1972. Immediately after graduation, he began working at Aycock Pontiac as a mechanic before opening Donnie’s Auto service in 1982, until his retirement in 2020. He was a member of the Bay Church of Christ. He was a volunteer fireman for the Bay Volunteer Fire Department. He began in fire departments career in 1972, was named Fire Chief in 1998 and retired from the department in 2021. His love for his community and their residents make him run for the Bay City Council from 1985 until 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. “Dick” and Elouise Benner Davis and one brother, Jimmy Davis.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Sandy Davis of the home; daughter, Brooke (Jeremy) Thomas; three bonus-daughters, Kristi Wilson, April Bollinger and Chrystal Taylor; grandsons, Gavin (Bailee) Thomas; Braison (Allison) Morris; granddaughter, Lynnli Jo Thomas; great granddaughter, Lylah May Morris, all of Jonesboro; his twin brother, Ronnie (“Runt” as Donnie called him) (Carol) Davis; nephews, Clint (Taysia) Davis; Chase (Liz) Davis several great nieces and nephews, all of Bay; special friends, Charles Mitchell, Buck Warren, and Larry Colbert and a host of other family and friends. Donnie was known as “Pops” to many kids. He had a special bond with his grandkids/great grandkid and all his “Bonus” grandkids.

A Celebration of Life service will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Terry Smith, Mitch Sparks officiating, and Paul Keith and Carter Keith sharing memories with those in attendance. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park with full fire department honors, with Braison Morris, Kayden Boyles, Clint Davis, Chase Davis, Jacob Lamberson, Kevin “Butters” Russell serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Scotty Kemper, Cameron Campbell, Dustin Norwood, Robby Bollinger, David Taylor, and Arthur Wallace, past and present members of the Bay Fire Department and the Arkansas State Police. Visitation will be Tuesday night from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Emerson Memorial Chapel.

For lasting memorials, please consider the Bay Fire Department, 220 Elder Street, Bay, Arkansas 72411; or the Paragould Children’s Home, 5515 Walcott Road Paragould, AR 72450. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.