Silas Bruce Davis' Obituary
Silas Bruce Davis, 79, of Huntersville died June 14, 2023 at his home. He was born on October 27, 1943 at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte to the late Candace Rebecca Auten and Bruce Hill Davis. Silas grew up on the family farm in the small community of Croft, NC. He attended Huntersville School and was a 1962 graduate of North Mecklenburg High School. He was a member of Independence Hill Baptist Church.
Silas studied civil engineering at NC State University on track and ROTC scholarships, and earned a degree in 1966. As an officer in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, he served in Thailand during the Vietnam War. After a 30-year military career, which included service in the National Guard and Army Reserve, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Silas was the operator, and later owner, of Davis General Store in Croft, NC for 53 years. The store was founded in 1890 by his grandfather and great uncle. He enjoyed asking customers about their gardens and giving advice. His guidance, often characterized by his willful yet genuine approach, extended beyond mere transactions. The ‘Mayor of Croft’ had a desire to preserve and share knowledge about rural living in general, and life in historic Croft in particular. If he wasn’t chatting with the regulars by the stove, he could likely be found weighing seed, or maybe even a new baby, on the scale at the end of the counter.
Silas had many interests and affiliations, mostly related to agriculture. He enjoyed keeping a large garden and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors. He served on the board of directors of the Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau. He also enjoyed traveling; hunting trips, military assignments, and North Mecklenburg Farm Group tours took him to nearly all the states and many countries. He also was a member of the Stumptown Tractor Club, 1962 North Mecklenburg High School reunion committee, and the VFW Wilson Beatty Post 9736, among others.
He is survived by his wife, Junie Davis, with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 23rd.
Other survivors include daughters, Noelle Small and husband Jonathan of Charlotte, and Lois Ellen Tuttle and husband Hayden of Huntersville; son, Andrew Davis and wife Beth of Fort Mill, SC; grandchildren, Everette, Isaac, Gabriel, Davis, Bingham, Reynolds, Analiese, and Jennings; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Davis of Charlotte; niece, Emily Gale and husband Paul IV of Mocksville, NC; nephew, Brice Davis of Raleigh, NC; and great-nephews, Paul V, Nathan and Dylan.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Ellen Davis, a brother, Leslie Hill Davis, and a sister-in-law, Libby DeEtta Sparks.
Memorials may be made to Independence Hill Baptist Church or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Monday, June 19 at James Funeral Home. The funeral will be 11 AM Tuesday, June 20 at the Independence Hill Baptist Church worship center with burial following in the church cemetery.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Silas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Silas?
Share a story where Silas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Silas you’ll never forget.
How did Silas make you smile?
