Wyatt J. Davis Jr.

Wyatt J. Davis Jr., long-time resident of Laurel, Mississippi, died Monday, March 4, 2024 in Trinity Healthcare Center in Columbus, Mississippi. He was born in Louisville, Mississippi on September 1, 1931 to Wyatt J. Davis Sr. and Claudie Clark Davis. He is survived by his brother, Jim C. Davis of Columbus Mississippi and wife Janice; nephew Marvin Smith of Richmond, Texas along with his wife Kathy and children David, Emily, and Thomas; nephew Tim Smith of Brandon, Mississippi along with his wife Teresa and daughter Rachel; and niece Courtenay McAllister of Memphis, Tennessee along with her husband Tom and children Sarah Davis, Wyatt Thomas and John Will; and niece Becky Angel Barrett and husband Jerry. Wyatt grew up in Louisville, Mississippi; graduated from Louisville High School in 1949. He attended East Central Junior College 1949 – 1950 and then served in the US Army during the Korean War 1951 – 1952 in the 31st “Dixie” Division. He then graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Accounting in 1955 after which he was employed by Alexander Smith Carpet Industries in Greenville, Mississippi. In Greenville he met and married Dorothy (Dot) Barnes Ely on October 13, 1956 (predeceased in death 2015). In 1960 he and Dot moved to Laurel, Mississippi where he became the first Controller at Sanderson Farms Inc. Wyatt was employed at Sanderson Farms 1960 – 1994 when he retired as Secretary, Treasurer and CFO. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Laurel, National Association of Accountants, Post 62 of American Legion, Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association, Mississippi Poultry Improvement Association, MSU Development Foundation, 31st Infantry “Dixie” Division Society, East Central Community College Warrior Club, MSU Bulldog Club, Committee of One Hundred, Laurel Exchange Club. Funeral Services will be held at Memory Chapel in Laurel, Mississippi on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be immediately preceding the service from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Graveside service will follow in Louisville, Mississippi at 3:00 PM. Honorary Pall Bearers are Joe Sanderson, Mike Cockrell, Lampkin Butts, Dr. John Wallace, Billy Sumrall, and Charles Pickering. In lieu of flowers, contributions to First Baptist Church of Laurel or MSU Development Foundation would be preferred. The family wishes to thank the staff of Trinity Healthcare for the tender care given to Wyatt. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Wyatt J. Davis Jr.

September 1, 1931 - March 4, 2024