Dr. Fred Wingate Davis passed away on April 22, 2024, at The Baptist Home at the age of 92 years. He was born August 16, 1931, in his grandmother’s log cabin in Sulphur Rock, Arkansas, the son of Hugh Allen and Opal Surelda (Sprouce) Davis.
Fred graduated from high school in May of 1949 in Batesville Arkansas. He became a licensed preacher on September 1, 1949, and served the ministry for 70 years. He attended Ouachita Baptist College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Speech. Fred later studied at Southwestern Bible Seminary, University of Missouri St. Louis (earned a Master in Education), and Pillsbury Institute St. Louis (earning a Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling and another in Ministry). Fred pastored several churches: 1st Baptist of North Little Rock, 1st Baptist of St. Peters, MO among others in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. He taught high school for twenty-nine (29) years teaching Speech, English and Psychology and later becoming a guidance counselor. Fred taught school, served as a pastor, and worked many different jobs to feed his family. He also served in the National Guard from 1954 to 1957.
On September 6, 1953, he was united in marriage to Peggy Marie Bull. They were married for sixty-four years before she preceded him in death on December 20, 2017. They were the parents of four children: Dr. Ronnie Allen Davis and wife Beverly of Anderson, South Carolina, Rhonda Karen Davis of Lehigh Acres, Florida, Stephen Wayne Davis, and Shirley Katherine Davis both of Texarkana, Texas. Six grandchildren are left to mourn the passing of their grandfather: Hannah Marie Davis, Rhonda Lynn Woods, James Robert Bushdiecker, Christopher Frederick Bushdiecker, , Adam Michael Cassaday, and Neil Andrew Cassaday as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, Fred was preceded in death by his only sister, Kittie Ruth Cowling; his grandson, Zachary Keaton Bushdiecker and his daughter-in-law Tamara Rene Davis.
In his free time, Fred obtained his private pilot license and he enjoyed flying whenever he could. He also enjoyed fishing and then eating what he caught.
Memorials may be made to the Baptist Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on April 24, 2024, at The Baptist Home Chapel with Rev. Ryan Nichols officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville, Arkansas on April 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
