Chester C. Davis

1922 - 2022

Mr. Chester C. Davis, 99, of Bald Knob died Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Searcy, Ark. He was born Aug. 4, 1922, in Newark, Ark., the son of Curtis and Volina Davis. He married Miss Lola Beeler on Nov. 26, 1947.

Chester graduated from Newark High School in 1942. Upon graduation, Chester was awarded a Sears and Roebuck scholarship to the University of Arkansas for agriculture and athletics. This would never come to be, however, as he charted a different course, which led to enlistment and his subsequent military service.

Chester is a veteran of World War II, where he served his country honorably from September 1942 to February 1946 in the United States Army-Air Force (Corps).

Following his service, Chester worked as a journeyman lineman for Arkansas Power and Light for 35 years, where he never missed a single day of work for a service-related injury – something he was extraordinarily proud of. Throughout his career, Chester earned numerous performance- and safety-based accolades.

Immediately upon retirement, Chester and Lola spent the next 10 years enjoying many trips to Fayetteville and the Northwest Arkansas region to visit their daughter, Sandy, and her family. They also logged many miles in Chester's beloved Buick visiting the numerous military duty stations of their son, Max, and his family. When not hitting the open road, they also enjoyed spending time closer to home visiting family and friends in Central Arkansas.

In the years following his beloved Lola's passing, Chester found his way to the Bald Knob Senior Center. For more than a decade, Tuesday through Friday, he could be found enjoying a good lunch, the camaraderie of his fellow seniors and of course, a game of dominoes.

He was a member of the Judsonia Church of Christ dating back to 1962.

Chester is preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Lola (Beeler) Davis, as well as his parents and son, Chester Max Davis. Also preceding him in death are siblings Dorthea Mingo, James Davis, Alice (Viola) Milligan, Curtis (Junior) Davis, Walker (Lawson) Davis, Harold (Wayne) Davis, Howard Davis and Mary Sue Davis.

Chester is survived by siblings, Betty Stites of Newport, Ark., and Elva (Lee) Pierce of O'Fallon, Ill.; daughter, Sandra (Davis) Vann of Fayetteville, Ark., along with her sons, Zachary and Michael Vann also of Fayetteville; grandson, Justin M. (Abigail) Davis of Fort Wayne, Ind.; along with countless nieces, nephews and a lifetime of friends.

Chester was a man who enjoyed the simple things in life such as raising a yearly vegetable garden and sharing his bounty with others. He could often be found sitting on the back stoop or the porch swing at 301 W. Cleveland St. during the heat of the day or as the sun was setting – just enjoying God's glorious fresh air. Baseball was another love of Chester's. From a young age, the crack of the bat and the slap of a mitt when the ball hits the leather were some of his favorite sounds. Hunting on his brother Wayne's property and taking his beloved schnauzer, MacGyver, were some of the things he enjoyed most.

These last two simple pleasures could be his greatest loves … a good conversation and playing a game of dominoes. At the age of 99, he could still reel you in, making you think you had him only to be caught in the end with Chester typically coming away with the win. Over the last few years, his conversations weren't quite as crisp and sharp as they'd once been, but goodness, could he still tell a story. The staff at Providence Assisted Living, where Chester spent his last 18 months, could attest to this.

A special thanks to Judy Davidson from Southern Caregivers who spent several hours nearly every single day ensuring he was living his best life up until his final day.

Funeral services will be held at Jackson Funeral Home in Newport, Ark., on Friday, April 22. Family to gather at 12:30 p.m. with visitation starting at 1 p.m. and services beginning promptly at 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Maple Springs Cemetery in Oil Trough.

If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Bald Knob Senior Center, 400 E. 4th St., Bald Knob, AR 72010.