Rev. Weldon Davis of Mineral Bluff, Georgia went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb 25, 2024. Weldon was born to the late Lawrence and Margaret Davis on Hardscrabble Road, Mineral Bluff, Georgia on November 18, 1944. He was known for his loving, compassionate, and forgiving heart; his infectious laughter will forever be remembered and missed.

After graduating East Fannin High School in 1963 , he was drafted into the United States Army where he faithfully and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967. After the war he married his loving wife, Judy Benedict in 1970. Weldon and Judy would spend the next 54 years together serving in the ministry and building a loving family. Anyone that knew Weldon knew how much he loved Judy.

In 1970, Weldon announced his call to preach and began a journey that affected countless people's lives through preaching, ministry, mission work, and pastoring many churches including: Mt. Zion Baptist Blairsville, GA; Oak Grove Baptist Murphy, NC; New Zion Baptist Farner, TN; Pleasant Hill Baptist, Copperhill, TN. He also spent many years going to Jamaica on mission trips preaching and helping build churches. For many years, he lovingly and compassionately served at the Copper Basin Crisis Center. The people of these churches, the crisis center, and Jamaica became family and lifelong friends that he always cherished.

During the years of his ministry Weldon also worked for the Tennessee Copper Company as a miner. This is where he would earn the nickname "Looney" because of his mischievous antics and jokes. His laugh rang with mischief and fun. He built strong friendships and bonds with the miners he worked with that he also cherished.

After leaving the copper mines, Weldon worked for the Furniture Clinic of Atlanta traveling across the state of Georgia refinishing furniture and working as a claims adjuster. He was incredibly skilled at refinishing furniture and meticulously repaired countless antiques and family heirlooms.

He was so very proud of his two daughters, Lisa and Tina. They never had to wonder if he loved them or was proud of them. He always took care of them and taught them by example that serving God was the most important thing in life. This love was transferred to his son in laws as well. He baptized Lisa's husband, Keith; Keith later became a preacher and ministered alongside Weldon on many occasions including mission trips to Jamaica. They spent many hours fishing together passing on that skill to Gracie. Tina's husband Jamey also learned about the love of Christ from Weldon and joined him on those mission trips. Weldon was an extremely successful hunter and loved deer and turkey hunting with Jamey. You could always find Weldon standing with Jamey watching the grandkids play sports.

In retirement, he, with Judy close by his side, dedicated himself to his grandchildren teaching them to plant and harvest a garden, to fish, to care for animals, and countless life lessons they will pass along. Listening to Gracie play the cello, Cole and Cade score touchdowns, and Adeline and Brooke score baskets were his favorite pastimes. Happiness lit his face when they walked into a room. He will forever be their hero.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Margaret Poe Davis; brother Gary; brother James; brother in law Windell Land; sister in law Inez Davis.

He is survived by wife Judy; daughter and son in law Lisa and Keith Raper of Mineral Bluff, GA; daughter and son in law Tina and Jamey Dockrey of Blairsville, GA. His beloved grandchildren Cole, Adeline, Brooke, and Cade Dockrey and Gracie Raper. His Brothers Windell, Randall [Tammy], and Sir John Davis; sisters Kathleen Pittman [Buddy], Charlotte Land, Janet Clore [Gerald], Sharon Wilson, Patsy Wood [Steve]. Many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Max Curtis and Rev. Al Patterson officiating. Music will be provided by Chris Patterson, Medra Palmer, and Grace Raper. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Mineral Bluff with Rev. Tommy Paine officiating. The following will be serving as pallbearers: Cole Dockrey, Cade Dockrey, Jamey Dockrey, Keith Raper, Brooke Dockrey, Joseph Annis, Pippitt Pittman, Sir John Davis, and Robert Luckie. Selected to serve as honorary pallbearers are the nieces and nephews of Mr. Davis and the Tennessee Copper Company Miners. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, February 28, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Copper Basin Crisis Center at 5260 US-64 Copperhill, TN 37317.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of these arrangements.