RC Davis

RC Davis, beloved father, papa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend spent the final days of his life on this earth at his home in Apple Springs surrounded by his loved ones. RC was born July 5, 1926, in Nogalus Prairie, Texas, to the late Ruby (Nash) Davis and Ernest Clayton Davis, and died peacefully at his home in Apple Springs on November 25, 2025.
Mr. Davis was a devout Christian. He was a member of Prairie View Methodist Church, Nogalus Prairie. His faith family also included Calvary Baptist Church, Nogalus Prairie, and Oaklawn Baptist Church, Groveton.
RC grew up on a farm in Trinity County, where he learned many life lessons from his Grandpa T, worked at the store with his father and enjoyed life with his extended family.
RC is a 1943 graduate of Apple Springs High School. Shortly after graduation he married Lona Kennedy from Groveton. Like so many others in the "Greatest Generation" RC was called to serve his country during World War II. From 1943-1946 he served in the US Navy aboard the USS LSM 171 in the South Pacific.
After returning from active duty, he enrolled at Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville under the G.I. Bill and worked part time for the Huntsville Public School system doing odd jobs and driving bus routes. He earned his B.A. in Vocational Agriculture from SHSTC in 1950. In 1953, he acquired his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College in Nacogdoches. Mr. Davis' teaching career spanned a total of 31 years in public education. His teaching tenure included serving as the Agriculture Teacher at Beckville ISD, and then as a teacher and administrator at New Summerfield ISD and then at Apple Springs ISD. After retiring from education, Mr. Davis served one term as Trinity County Road Commissioner, Precinct IV, worked for the U.S. Forestry Service, and was a frequent visitor on the campuses of both Apple Springs ISD and Centerville ISD in Trinity County. He seldom missed an athletic or academic event. He knew most of the students by name, who their parents are, and even who their grandparents were.
RC and Lona, his wife of 64 years, raised five children, the oldest two graduated from New Summerfield High School and the youngest three children graduated from Apple Springs High School.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Lona, his wife; grandson, Richard W. Gresham; great grandsons Richard (Rickie) Gresham, Laker Banks, and great granddaughter, Roberta Gresham; brothers-in-law James King, Mike White, Frank O'Quin, Omer Kennedy, and Raymond Kennedy.
He is survived by his children; daughters, Kathy James of Rosenburg, Oregon, Joan and husband Tonie Ragland of Nogalus Prairie, Rebecca and husband Duron Thorne of Centerville (Trinity County), Karen Miller of Seymour, Missouri, and son Gerald Davis of Nogalus Prairie. Sisters: Lois Marie O'Guin of Lufkin and Marlene White of Nogalus Prairie.
Grandchildren: Debi Gresham of Rosenburg, Oregon; Roger Gresham of Palmetto Bay, Florida; Kevin and wife Pam Ragland of Alto, Sharon and husband Wesley Mosley of Brookeland, Gerald and wife Julie Davis of Lufkin, Rhonda Green of Lufkin, Rob and wife Darlene Thorne of Centerville (Trinity County), Mandie and husband Rudy Salaiz of Lufkin, Krystal and husband Larry Brown of Seymour, Missouri, and Dustin and wife Abby Banks of Ozark, Missouri.
Thirty-four great grandchildren, thirty-three great-great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday evening, November 28, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Calvary Baptist Church in Nogalus Prairie. Dr. Ken Smith, Bro. Jeff Hastings, Prairie View Methodist Church, James Whittlesey, Calvary Baptist Church, and Lester McAdams, Oaklawn Baptist Church, Groveton will be officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Nogalus Prairie.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Davis' great-grandsons: Joe Young, Josh Young, Rudy Salaiz, Travis Thorne, Walker Thorne, David Hammer, Felix Cantrell, Koi Banks, Colton Lincoln, and Rory Banks.
Honorary Pallbearers: Corde Boyles and Travis Gresham.
The Centerville Basketball Team and Coach Geoffrey Hollis will escort Mr. Davis' casket from the church sanctuary to his gravesite in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Apple Springs Alumni Association, PO Box 83, Apple Springs, TX 75926, to the Apple Springs Senior Citizens, or to the charity of your choice.

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