B.L. Davis, Jr.

Bonnie Lee (“B.L.”) Davis, Jr. of Sardis, MS passed away at his home on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Born in Pleasant Grove, MS on July 3, 1931, Mr. Davis was the son of Bonnie L. Davis and Elva Bush Davis. He was educated at Pleasant Grove School and later attended Sardis High School where he and his wife, Mary, graduated in 1949. After graduation, Mr. Davis was hired by Illinois Central Railroad and stationed in Crenshaw, MS, a journey that began his long career as a rail transport enthusiast. Throughout his career he worked as Station Master and Depot Agent at various locations including both Batesville and Clarksdale. He was employed as Train Dispatcher at the railroad’s home office in Chicago, IL before accepting a position as Station Master for the Mississippi Delta Railroad in Clarksdale, MS until his retirement in 1992.

Mr. Davis served his country with true dedication in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Signal Corps Officer, utilizing his talents in both morse code and rail dispatching. His service to our nation was very dear to him, and he wore his uniform with immense pride.

During their time in Clarksdale, Mr. Davis and his wife were prominent members of Oakhurst Baptist Church. After retirement, they relocated to Sardis and returned to his childhood church of Peach Creek Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove, MS. Mr. Davis was very active within his church, including teaching the men’s Bible class and greeting parishioners at the door with his welcoming smile and loving character.

Mr. Davis is survived by his beloved wife of over seventy years, Mary Elizabeth Blakely Davis, his daughter Susan Davis Whitmire (Donald) of Clarksdale, his son James Michael Davis of Sardis, and two brothers Jack C. Davis (Erni) of Melbourne, FL and James W. Davis of Oxford, MS. He leaves five grandsons: Jeremy Whitmire of Madison, MS, Brandon Whitmire (Jessica) of Collierville, TN, Jordan Davis (Tori) of Little Rock, AR, Joshua Davis of Little Rock, AR, and Andrew Davis (Kirsten) of Little Rock, AR. In addition, he leaves four great-grandchildren: Cole Whitmire of Collierville, TN, and Charley Faye Davis, Lillian Margaret Davis, and Amelia Marie Davis of Little Rock, AR. A third brother, William Bush Davis, preceded him in death.

Funeral services are pending at this time and will be announced on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.