Charles Rondal Davis Sr

Charles Rondal Davis, Sr., son of John and Angeline (Carroll) Davis, was born on May 24, 1951, in New River, Tennessee. He was called home to be with the Lord on June 4, 2026, at his residence in Chattanooga, Tennessee after years of battling cancer. The moment his final breath left his earthly body, he received his glorious heavenly body.

Charles was of the Baptist faith and attended Beech Grove Baptist Church, Shultz Hollow Baptist Church, and other churches throughout his life.

Charles lived life to the fullest, in his later years often sharing his testimony of how Jesus saved him many years ago as he walked along a railroad track. He was not a perfect man, but he loved his mother and family deeply. Like all of us, he made mistakes along the way, yet in the end, he did the best he could. He was a simple man who experienced regrets and sorrows but also enjoyed many joyful and memorable moments throughout his life.

As a young man, Charles traveled extensively throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, living a carefree life as a hitchhiking hippie, exploring backroads and interstates during a time when strangers often became friends. He was the 13th of 21 children. Born in New River and delivered by his aunt, who served as a midwife, Charles knew hardship long before it was called poverty. Yet he never viewed his upbringing as a burden. Instead, he embraced life as an adventure and chose happiness and freedom whenever possible.

One of Charles' greatest passions was art, which carried over into his work as an artist of trees. Some folks considered him to be one of the most talented tree climbers in the profession—swift and fearless as a squirrel climbing to the treetops and back down. He could often be found sitting on the highest limb, with his equipment hanging down from his belt, enjoying a cigarette and a Mountain Dew during a brief break while his brothers, Billy, Johnny, and Terry, part of his crew, worked below cleaning up debris.

Charles taught himself how to play guitar and write beautiful melodies to sing. He loved spending time in the woods, hiking and searching for ginseng, either alone or with his brothers Johnny and Billy. He loved sports and as an avid basketball player, he enjoyed pickup games in Briceville, Lake City or Clinton Community Centers with friends. usually playing against his brother-in-law Sack's team. In his endeavors, he made countless friends, especially his mentor, the late J.N. Sharp, who took Charles under his wing during his teenage years.

He attended Stoney Fork Elementary and later Lake City High School. On September 4, 1969, during the Vietnam Era, he joined the United States Marine Corps. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury during basic training forced him to return home with an Honorable Discharge and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Throughout his life, he loved traveling, riding Harleys, enjoying the freedom of the open road and adventures that took him to places near and far. Charles was raised on Beech Fork Mountain in Campbell County, Tennessee. To many, he was a mountain man who ventured far beyond home—from Briceville and Lake City to Chicago and the beaches of Florida. While living in Whiting, Indiana, he met Vicky Lynn, whom he later married.

He is the father of 9 Children, 17 Grandchildren and 9 Great-Grandchildren.

The last two years of Charles' life were spent in hospitals and hospice care as he battled cancer. He was deeply affected by the passing of his beloved wife, Vicky, on September 23, 2025. Though heartbroken, he never lost his faith. He remained strong until the end, ready to answer the Lord's call when Jesus called his name. Through every hardship and every blessing, Charles never lost his hope in Christ.

Eleven days before his passing, several family members gathered with him to celebrate his 75th birthday on May 24, 2026. Now, we can say Charles celebrated his Heavenly birthday on June 4, 2026. The testimony he leaves behind is simple and clear: he was not perfect, but he loved Jesus, always talking to anyone that would listen and asking for prayers for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and loved ones to seek Christ, be saved, and one day join him in Heaven.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Vicky Lynn (Estep) Davis; his parents, John and Angeline (Carroll) Davis; his in-laws, Cecil Raymond and Beverly Y. (Moore) Estep; his son, Jonnathan Neil Shukites Davis; his great-granddaughters Alice Grace Showalter and Isla Elaine McGuire, his special loved ones, Patricia "Patty" Engle and Paula Pointer Burress.

He was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: James and Laura (Davis) Foley, Kenneth and Louise (Davis) Nance, James Edward and Corrie (Foust) Davis, Donald and Mary (Davis) Lee, Charles and Lottie (Davis) McGhee, Frank and Nancy (Davis) Higdon, James Edward and Viner Jane (Davis) Harness, Robbie Davis, Shermie Ann Davis, and Jerry Wayne Davis, his brother-in-law, Eugene D. Lipkovitch, and sister-in-law, Diane (Kornfal) Estep.

Those left to cherish his memory include:

Sons: Charles "Charlie" "Chuck-C1" (Adrienne) Engle of Joplin, Missouri; Cecil Ray Davis of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Johnathan Louis Burress of Clinton, Tennessee; and Charles R. Davis, Jr. "Bud Bud / CJ" (Andrea) of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Daughters: Cynthia Marie "Cindy" Dulin of Indiana; Nicole "Nikki" Engle (George Allen) Guy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Barbara Jean Davis of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Sarah Elizabeth Davis of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter-in-law Melissa Shukites Wilson of Clinton, Tennessee.

Grandsons: Colton Robert Owen Keith; Andrew "Drew" Shukites Wilson of Clinton, Tennessee; David Anthony (Kasey) Dulin of Indiana; Steven Ray Dulin of Indiana; Nathan Paul Dulin of Indiana; Cole Drymon of Hixson, Tennessee; Daimon Drymon of Hixson, Tennessee; and twins; Kanin and Lucas Davis of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Granddaughters: Alice Grace (Corbin) Showalter of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Nakayla Nicole Roland of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Emersyn Engle of Joplin, Missouri; Alexandria Engle of Joplin, Missouri; Ceria Davis; Melody Hope Drymon of Hoover, Alabama; Autumn R. Davis of Hixson, Tennessee, and Aniah Raye Dulin of Indiana.

Great-Grandsons: Noah Dulin, Killian Dulin, Jensen Dulin, Nathan Leo Showalter, and Ryland Charles Roland.

Great-Granddaughters: Jocelyn Dulin, and Vivian Grace Showalter, and Bexley Dulin of Indiana.

Brothers: Ransom J. (Evelyn) Davis of Harriman, Tennessee; Benny Lee Davis of Clinton, Tennessee; Billy Davis of Clinton, Tennessee; Johnny Davis of Clinton, Tennessee; and Terry Davis of Caryville, Tennessee.

Sisters: Emma Davis Norris of Crossville, Tennessee; Virda Maya Davis of Taylor, Texas; and Shirley (Jim) Childs of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Brother-in-law: Joseph Estep of Indiana.

Sister-in-law: Barbara J. Estep Lipkovitch of Indiana.

Special loved ones include Margaret T. Pivovarnik-Hunt.

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members, and dear friends.

His family would like to extend a very special thank you to Pastor Preston W. Brown for conducting memorial service.

Charles' family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the hospice staff of Erlanger Hospital and Park Ridge Hospital both of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Welcome Home of Chattanooga, especially Alexis Loudenslager, the director of social services, and Hearth Hospice of Chattanooga.... for their kindness and compassionate care during his illness. Special appreciation is given to his daughter-in-law, Andrea, for the loving care she provided during the months leading up to his final day. May Father God richly bless all of Charles' caregivers.

His family would also like to offer special recognition and gratitude to Hatmaker Funeral Home—Stan Hatmaker, Britney and Tyler Owens, and the rest of staff—for going above and beyond in caring for their beloved son, brother, cousin, father, grandfather, and friend.

Visitation: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.

Funeral Service: 3:00 PM, Friday, June 12, 2026, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Preston W. Brown officiating.

Pallbearers:

Sons: Cecil Ray Davis and Charles Rondal Davis, Jr,

Grandsons: Cole Drymon, Daimon Drymon, and twins Kanin and Lucas Davis

Brothers: Ransom J. Davis, Benny Davis, Billy Davis, Johnny Davis, and Terry Davis

Friends: Shannon Ragel and Devon Reed

Honorary Pallbearers: Alvin McGhee, Travis Jacks, Christopher Smith

A Graveside Service will be held following the funeral service at the Circle Cemetery in Briceville, Tennessee with Military Honors presented by the Honor Guard of Campbell County.