Cecil DeWayne Davis

Cecil DeWayne Davis passed away Thursday, April 27, 2006 at the Timberlake Nursing Home in Farmerville, Louisiana. Military graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 3:00 PM at Resthaven Memorial Park in Midland. Visitation will be Friday, April 28, 2006 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.DeWayne was born in Duncan, Oklahoma on November 11, 1919 to Cecil C. and Carrie Lou Deavenport Davis.His family moved to Vernon, Texas when he was four years old. He graduated from Vernon High School, attended the University of Texas in Austin for two years, transferred to North Texas State University in Denton where he graduated in 1941. He did his graduate work at UTPB in Odessa and Sul Ross State University in Alpine where he received his MA degree.During WWII, he served in the United States Navy in the South Pacific. He was a commanding officer of his ships, SC1266 and PGM14. He remained in the United States Navy Reserves, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1955. Following his service in WWII, he was chief executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in Midland.On June 11, 1949, Davis and the former Dorothy Hamilton of Stanton, were married. Together they reared two children, Mary Lou and Cecil DeWayne, Jr. (Deen). During the years from 1950 through 1961, the family moved to Tulia, Abilene, Lamesa, Sherman and Grand Prairie, where Davis served as Chamber manager in each city.Always an active participant in church and community affairs, he was well known for his love of family and shared many outings and especially sight seeing trips to his beloved New Mexico mountains. During the summer of 1961, he and Dorothy operated Foothills Ranch for children between Las Vegas and Santa Fe, New Mexico.Leaving the Chamber of Commerce field after fifteen years, he entered the teaching profession, holding teaching positions at Permian High School in Odessa, Midland High School from which he retired, Sul Ross State University, Odessa College and Midland College.He was a former Midland County Commissioner, member of First United Methodist Church, member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and a Sunday School teacher, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, American Legion, VFW past commander, Midland Retired Teachers Association, past president of West Texas Chamber of Commerce Managers Association, former editor of Texas Chamber of Commerce Managers News; former director of East Texas Chamber of Commerce Managers Association, former debate coach at Midland High School (this team won at State in 1964 and 1965), was elected by the Midland High School Faculty as "Outstanding Teacher of the Year" in 1965, former chairman of the Evaluation Committee of Midland High School; former chairman of the Governance Committee of Midland High School, life member of PTA, former member of Education Committee of Midland Chamber of Commerce "Objectives for Midland", former member of Midland County Restitution Board. In September, 2002, he was awarded, in a special ceremony, the Military Cross by the Midland Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.Mr. and Mrs. Davis moved in October, 2003 to Farmerville, Louisiana to be near their family, where Mrs. Davis will continue to reside. Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Earlene (Mrs. Marvin) Taylor of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, a grandson, Erin Christian Selby, and a great-granddaughter, Hannah Angel Musgrove.He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy; a daughter, Mary Lou (Mrs. Gary N.) Selby of Farmerville, Louisiana; a son, Cecil DeWayne, Jr. (Deen) of Burleson, Texas; five granddaughters, Celeste Selby (Mrs. Troy) Tydingco of Sitka, Alaska, Seana Selby (Mrs. Keith) Gentry of Jacksonville, Florida, Sarah Selby (Mrs. Eric) Musgrove of Live Oak, Florida, Tammy Davis (Mrs. Mike) Summers and Melissa Davis, both of Burleson, Texas; a grandson, Gary N. Selby, Jr. of Farmerville, Louisiana; three great-grandsons, Cadyn and Cale Gentry of Jacksonville, Florida and Alex Musgrove of Live Oak, Florida; a great-granddaughter, Ashlyn Summers of Burleson, Texas; one niece, Jean Taylor (Mrs. Mark) Wilson of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; and one nephew, Charles Taylor of Austin.Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Pemberton, John P. Hammett, Dan Elias, Ted Kerr, Bill J. Hill, Jack Ladd, Charles F. Henderson, Jr., Ruff Ahders, Dr. Gregory W. Bartha, Judge John Hyde, Tom Coleman, James Mims and the members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,