August 4, 1946  –  January 16, 2024

PONTOCOLA COMMUNITY — Frances Joseph “Frank” Davis met the promises of his faith, won the victory and entered the Church Triumphant as he had espoused to United Methodist congregations in his over 25 years in ministry. Bro. Frank was 76 years old. Born on August 4, 1946 in Monroe, Louisiana to the late Rev. Gerald Edwin Davis, Sr. and Remigia Fumagali, Frank lived in various locations and graduated from North Babylon High School in New York City in l964. In High School, he was in choir and theatre. He played the Mock Turtle in “Off With their Heads”, a parity of “Alice in Wonderland” and The Ambassador of Siam in “The King and I”. Ever interested in the Theatre and Music, Frank maintained a love of the arts and stage the whole of his life. He attended the Long Island Bible Institute for 1 year and also attended Southern Western Assembly of God Bible College for 1 and ½ years.

Always a patriotic American, Bro. Frank had an illustrious military career serving several locations including Washington, D.C., a clerk at Fort Hood Texas-3rd Armored Division, US Army Garrison in Okinawa, Japan, Infrantry Dog Handler, Democratic Republic of German, Army Recreation Specialist attached to USO at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as 101st Air Mobile Clerk Specialist and Fort Lewis, Washington, Clerk Specialist, all over a 10 year military career. He served as a disk Jockey at Alexandria, La., and in Euince, La. and San Diego, California with the moniker “Big Daddy D”. He later worked in theatre in California, Branson, Missouri serving as Will Rogers’ father in “Will Roger’s Review” alongside Pat Boone as Will Rogers! He directed Summer Theater at Galveston Island State Park Amphitheater.

He eventually became a United Methodist Minister in Lake Charles, La., Eunice, La. and in several congregations in the Mississippi Conference in Batesville, First United Methodist Church in Okolona, the Verona-Palmetto Charge in Lee County with his last full time service at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Aberdeen. A gentle soul with extraordinary diverse talents and interests, he leaves a legacy of living life large, in the moment and with the full force of nature.

A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Friday, January 26, 2024, in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church-Okolona with his brother, Rev. Steven Davis, officiating. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time in the Church Sanctuary. There will be no committal service. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.

Rev. Davis is survived by his wife, Carol Moody Davis of the Pontocola Community; his daughter, Melanie Davis and grandchildren, Marlo Rowan and Cody Chaffin; his siblings, Reba Davis Byrd, Rev. Steven Davis and Gerald Davis, Jr. and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Geradine Sexton

Condolences may be e mailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net. Memorials may be made to Pastor’s Fund, Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, 320 Briarwood Drive, Jackson, MS. 39216.

Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.