Doris Clark Davis

On January 15, 2026, Our Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled His covenant to Doris Rutland Clark Davis by taking her to her eternal home. Doris passed away peacefully, with her loved ones by her side. She was 84 years old.
Doris was born on June 22, 1941 in Bassfield, Mississippi to James Andrew and Lucy Herrin Rutland. The youngest of eight children, Doris grew up on her family's farm, which no matter where she lived throughout her life, she would always consider her home.
She attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, before marrying her beloved husband James Mitford Clark, Jr. in 1960. They settled in Tupelo in 1973 with their three children, Niccole, Drew and Monique and shared a wonderful life and 29 years of marriage.
A classic Southern lady, Doris loved cooking and entertaining, her garden, antiques, and all things related to her family. She had a strong sense of patriotism and was active in organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Colonial Dames, and the Brices Crossroads Foundation. She served her community continuously throughout her life in her church, First Baptist Church of Tupelo and later First Baptist Church of Baldwyn, her children's schools, and various civic organizations.
Doris was always her family's biggest cheerleader and source of strength and encouragement, with her positive outlook on life, her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and her prayer life, leading the way. She was the cornerstone that held her family close, as she gathered her loved ones weekly for her Sunday lunches, and through her deep love and devotion. Her legacy will be found in the values she instilled in her children and grandchildren, her strong work ethic, her quiet strength, and strong sense of family heritage and tradition.
Doris married Billy Davis in 1998 and enjoyed 24 loving years of marriage before his passing in 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents James Andrew and Lucy Herrin Rutland; daughter Doris Clark; her husband of twenty-nine years James Mitford Clark, Jr; siblings Mae Rutland Sumrall, Vondee Rutland Jackson, Esther Rutland Clark, Marjorie Rutland Hauenstein, James Edward Rutland, Louie Walton Rutland, and Andrew Clifford Rutland; and her husband of twenty-four years Billy Smith Davis.
Doris will forever be cherished by her children Niccole Dione Clark of Tupelo, Mississippi; James Andrew Clark (Heather) of Jackson, Mississippi; Monique Clark Newman (John) of Birmingham, Alabama; her beloved grandchildren James Andrew Clark, Jr., William Matthew Clark, Hannah Clark Johnston (John), John Clark Newman, and James Mitford Newman; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Waters Funeral Home, Baldwyn, MS. Following the visitation, the funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church in Bassfield, MS.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Victory Baptist Church or the Brices Crossroads Foundation.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28