Kenneth Holmes Davis

Kenneth Holmes Davis, beloved husband and father, was born in Louisburg, NC on January 28, 1916 to Marion Stuart Davis and May Amanda Holmes Davis and died April 21, 2011. Ken was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Edith Modlin Davis on March 6, 2011; daughter, Patricia D. Poovey; brother, M. Stuart Davis; and sister, May Davis Nolte. Ken is survived by two sons, Kenneth H. Davis, Jr. (Barbara) of Durham and Donald E. Davis of Rocky Mount; three daughters, Carolyn D. Rudiger (Randy) of Hideaway, TX, Marian D. Harper of Newport News, VA, and Sarah R. Davis of Winston-Salem; sister, Dr. Sarah I. Davis, Chapel Hill; and brother-in-law, Milton H. Modlin (Eulene) of Rocky Mount. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Dolly Devlin and Will Davis, Durham; Alan Poovey, Burlington; Jennifer Snooks and Patrick Poovey, Cary; Beth Poovey, Charlotte; Bryan Carl and John Carl, TX, Karen Harper Nyako and Kate Harper, VA; and 17 great-grandchildren. The extended Davis family also includes special friends Frank and Pat Miller, Mary Eleanor and Dan Pulver, Jolyn Johnson and family, Kaye Townsend, Melinda and Veree Pollack, and Bill Poovey. Ken joined the Boy Scouts of America in 1928 at the age of 12 and earned his Eagle Rank in 1933. He received his AA in Architecture from Louisburg College and attended Wake Forest College and NC State College before joining professional Scouting in 1938. He left Scouting briefly during World War II to serve as a Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy. Rejoining professional Scouting upon his Naval discharge, Ken used his skills as an architect to design and build additions to many of the camps in the Boy Scout Councils he served. Married in 1939, Ken and Edith made their homes successively in Gallipolis, Ohio; Spartanburg, SC; Statesboro, GA; Charlotte; Burlington; Rocky Mount; Louisburg; Greenville; and Washington before retiring back to Rocky Mount in 1982. After his retirement from Professional Scouting, Ken continued his involvement with Scouting as a volunteer serving as a Scoutmaster, Post Advisor, Charter Representative, District Committee Member, Eagle Board of Review, and serving on numerous District and Council event staffs. In 2005, the East Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts honored Ken with the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service to young people in recognition of his volunteer contributions after retirement. Ken sponsored and chaperoned a Christian youth singing group known as the Now Generation Singers for many years. Ken was an active advocate for individuals with disabilities, organizing and serving local chapters of the Association for Retarded Citizens in Burlington and Rocky Mount. For many years, Ken and Edith assisted with the week-long summer camp for adults with disabilities known as Camp Rainbow held at Camp Caroline in Arapahoe, NC. Ken was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club and of First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount. The family thanks the church family, friends and caregivers in Rocky Mount, the staff from Brekenridge Retirement Center, Action Health Staffing, and Community Home Care and Hospice for their love, care, and support . Visitation with the family will be held from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A service to remember Ken will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount with Rev. Bob Bergland officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Arcola, NC. Flowers will be welcomed or, if desired, memorials may be directed to the Christian Church in NC, c/o Camp Rainbow Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1568, Wilson, NC 27894, 252-291-4047. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Tuesday 4/26, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Service First United Methodist Church (Rocky Mount) 100 South Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-977-0400 --> | Wednesday 4/27, 2:00 pm Cemetery