Elgin Davis II

KIRKWOOD, Mo., -- Elgin Charles Davis II, 64, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, at his home.

He is the son of Jackson and Virginia Bledsoe Davis. A 1965 graduate of Sikeston High School, he studied at Memphis State University and Southeast Missouri State University. He was an honorary colonel on the staff of Gov. Warren Hearnes, captain of the E. Seas, Port of Marathon, Fla., and Miss Smimoff, Port of Kentucky Lake. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1976, a Sikeston Jaycee and vice president of Farmers State Bank in Risco, Mo.

He resided in Matthews, Mo., Sikeston, Marathon, Fla., Lakeland, Fla., and Kirkwood. A landowner and sharecropper, he was a die-hard Cardinals fan. He was a dove hunter, golfer, fisherman, loved to read and enjoyed living in the Florida Keys and being captain of MV E. Seas

One of his favorite quotations that hung on the wall wherever he lived: "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I come from Missouri. You have got to show me."

Jan. 10, 1978, in Sikeston, he married Cathy Roberts.

Survivors include his wife; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Matthew Lee and Leslie Crouthers and Jackson Charles Davis of St. Louis; two grandchildren, Layne Crouthers and Abigail Crouthers of St. Louis; a sister, Virginia Davis Young and husband Reynolds of Arlington, Va.; a niece, Virginia Young Newton and husband David of Arlington; great nieces, Katherine Newton and Halbrook Newton of Arlington.

Also brothers and sisters-in-law, Carl Roberts Jr. and wife Linda of Port Charlotte, Fla., Danny Roberts and wife Mary Jane of Jackson, Tenn., Diane Roberts Warren and husband Larry, Donna Roberts Belcher and husband Bruce, and Cheryl Roberts Lasater and husband Mike all of Dexter, Mo., Michael Lee Roberts and wife Paula of Lilbourn, Mo.; several nieces and nephews from his wife's family (Carl Roberts); great friends, Doug and Kay Marsh; his wonderful Shih Tzu, Booger; and granddogs, Josephine, Casey and Ruby.

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home, followed by a reception.

The service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with Phil Warren of Liberty Hill General Baptist Church officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Reynolds Young, Virginia Young-Newton, Carl Roberts Jr., Doug and Kay Marsh, Cheryl Jensen, Mike Jensen, Steve and Pat Taylor, and Bradley Maximilian McGhee.

His ashes will be spread over the coral reef at Sombrero Key Light near Marathon, at a later date.

Memorial donations suggested to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.