ER Davis Passing
ER Davis Passing
Oct 31st, 11
ER Davis Passing
Emmett Ralls Davis Jr, husband of Aleitha Ritchie Davis, died at Bourbon Heights in Paris, KY on Oct 29, 2011. He was born in Bath County, KY on Jan 27, 1926 to Emmett Renno Davis, Sr. and Delilah Ralls Davis. Emmett, or better known to his friends as E.R. or "Bud", was the owner of Horseplay Farm in Paris, KY. In addition to his beloved wife Aleitha, the love of his life, to whom he was proudly married for 65 years , he is survived by his four children: Emmett Davis, III (Donna), Steve Davis (Sally), Lisa Davis Harrison (Arthur) of Paris, KY and Tom Davis (Hallie) of Lancaster, KY, and ten grandchildren: Chad Davis of Lexington, KY, Dr. Patricia Davis of Cynthiana, KY, Trey Harrison of Winchester, KY, Andrew Harrison of Lexington, KY, Austin Davis of Lexington, KY, Colby Davis of Paris, KY, Betsy Davis and Rennie Davis of Morehead, KY, Tommie Claire Davis of Lancaster, KY and Cameron Davis of Lawrenceburg, KY. He was also preceded in death by two children Mike and Cathy Davis. E.R. was preceded in death by three sisters, Amanda Davis Talley, Georgia Davis Greeley and Jean Davis Hedges with one surviving sister, Joann Davis Thornberry of Paris, KY. Other family includes numerous nieces and nephews. E.R. was a graduate of North Middletown High School, received his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Psychology at the University of Kentucky. He also did post doctorate at the University of Louisville and Southern Illinois University. E.R. taught at North Middletown High School and Paris City Middle School for four years before joining the staff of the Kentucky Tuberculosis Hospital Commission. He worked for the commission for 10 years, including several years as director of social work for six tuberculosis hospitals, and later as field services director for 57 tuberculosis clinics throughout Kentucky. He ended his career in public service as the Administrator at Bourbon Heights Nursing Home in Paris, KY from which he retired after 25 years. E.R. was an Army<http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/army/?personid=154412901&affiliateID=1185> Veteran, having served in the 2nd Regiment in World War II<http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/ww2/?personid=154412901&affiliateID=1185>. He was a long term member and Elder at First Christian Church in Paris, KY. He served on the board at the Bluegrass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation in Lexington, KY which is the governing body for the Comprehensive Care Centers of KY. After his retirement, E.R. continued to work with his family, which was his pride and joy, on their farm with his other love, horses. He owned a large nurse mare business, providing nurse mares to thoroughbred horse farms across the state. In addition to the nurse mare business, he was known across the United States to have, at one time, the largest herd of Rocky Mountain Horses in Kentucky, numbering over 120 head. Included in the herd were famous Rocky Mountain Horses such as Maple's Squirrel, Fonzie, and the Rocky Mountain Horse Association's International Champion, Choco Dock. E.R. owned the mare Friday, which became a foundation mare when the Rocky Mountain Horse Association began of which he was a long term member. It was natural that the family would continue to work with horses as it had been a tradition in the Davis family for the children to ride before they walked. Pallbearers will include: Chad Davis, Colby Davis, Trey Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Austin Davis, Tulley Williams and Drew Thornberry. Honorary pallbearers will include: Dr. James Ferrell, Dr. Gordon Layton, Ted Kuster, Dr. Mike Thornton, Joe Fryman, Bill Lyle, Edwin Caswell and the Elders of First Christian Church. A special heartfelt thanks to the staff of Bourbon Heights and the Board of Trustees for their loving, compassionate care to E.R. for the past five years. Donations are requested to First Christian Church or the Bourbon Heights Activities Department. Visitation will be at First Christian Church, High Street, Paris, KY on Tue, Nov 1st from 5-8pm with the funeral on Wed at 2pm at the First Christian Church. www.hinton-turnerfuneralhome.com<http://www.hinton-turnerfuneralhome.com/>
Published in Lexington Herald-Leader on October 31, 2011
