Milford Herschel Davis Jr.

Milford Herschel Davis, Jr., 81, died on February 26, 2012 in Little Rock, Ark. He was born to Rebecca and Herschel Davis on May 15, 1930 in the old St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock. He attended Pulaski Heights Grammar and Junior High School, as well as Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. Active in The Boy Scouts of America, he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business. He served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army Reserve and was stationed for two years in Bordeaux, France. Upon returning to Little Rock, he went into business with his father at the M.H. Davis Company, dealing in cottonseed and soybean meal. Later he worked as a commodities broker and retired from the state of Arkansas as an auditor. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and a former member of Rotary, Club 99, where he served as Sergeant-at-Arms. He was also a member of the Country Club of Little Rock, serving a term on the Board, and was a member of the Red, White and Blue Club for over 50 years. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board, chairing the Finance committee, and was a founding member of the Bowen/Cabe Sunday School class. He served for a number of years as a driver for the church's bus ministry and a driver for L.I.F.T. His favorite activities included spending time with his family and friends, golfing and playing cards. Preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Crockett Davis; daughter, Reverend Margaret Davis Freeman and husband, James of Franklin, N.C., daughter, Rebecca Davis, of Conway Ark., son, Milford Herschel Davis, III and wife, Mary, of Tyler, Texas; six grandchildren, Laura and Bess Freeman, Sam and Thomas Cloyd, and Preston and Harper Davis; sister, Katharine Davis Hudson (Greenville, N.C.), brother-in-law, Watkins Crockett III (Nashville, Tenn.), and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff of Emeritus at Pleasant Hills and to the caretakers from Hospice Home Care. Visitation will be at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham St, Little Rock on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Michael Mattox and Rev. Margaret Davis Freeman. A private burial will be held at Oakland Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include: John Chapin, Ed Coates, Dudley Coates, Bob Cress, Bill Crawford, Watt Crockett, Harry Erwin, Jack Frost, Ben Lincoln, Owen Lyon, Bert Parke, Jim Porter, Jim Sloan, Purcell Smith, Doug Thom, Sydney Thom. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201 or to a charity of choice. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.