Velma T Davis

Mrs. Velma Tuggle Davis, age 96, of Rome, Georgia, formerly of Tennille died on Tuesday morning, December 6, 2016, in Rome. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 7, 2016 in the May and Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Reverened Danny Thomas will officiate.

Mrs. Davis was born December 4, 1920, to Ralph Morgan Tuggle and Cassandra Howard, in Barbourville, Kentucky, where she grew up. On the eve of World War II, she met-and two days later married – a soldier boy, Fred G. Davis, who promptly went to war, leaving her to weather the storm with his Uncle Bob, and the assorted widow women who lived with him, in Tennille, Georgia. When Fred returned from the Pacific, Velma had already saved – by dint of her own work, and never spending any of Fred’s army allotment – enough money for a down payment on a house, which was built to stand next Uncle Bob’s, on Fourth Street. There she raised her two boys, Fred Jr. and Rob, and spent the majority of the remaining years of her life. Fred lost his sight as a result of his war time service, but managed to work as a highly skilled journeyman wireman in spite of it. When he retired, he devoted himself to handling electrical repair jobs for his neighbors and friends. But, since he was blind, he had to pay someone to be his “eyes” and he could not long afford to do that. With Velma’s help (and badgering) Davis Electric Company was born, and would keep them both pretty busy till Fred’s death in 1982. Velma has spent the last 17 years in nursing homes, where she achieved some notoriety as a feisty, fun loving eccentric. That same behavior did not seem so amusing when she was younger. She was a difficult woman, sure enough – she would never be remembered as otherwise – but she was as tough as nails, steadfast, and brave, a true friend and a defender of Right as she understood it. She was also a remarkably good cook.

She lost her first son, Fred Jr. last year but she never knew it. She is survived by her second son, Rob Davis and his wife Regina of Rome; daughter-in-law, Debbie Davis of Barbourville, Kentucky; grandchildren, Cassie Baker, Kelly Phipps and Tess Davis.
The family will receive friends at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville from 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday until the hour of service.

May and Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of the arrangements.
www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com