James Brooks Davis

James Brooks Davis, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Atrium Health Cabarrus. His funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Monday, August 31, 2026, at Oakboro First Baptist Church with Pastor Kinney Wallace, Pastor Terrell Watts, and Pastor Jonathan Waits officiating. Burial will follow in Oakboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 PM prior to the service in the church fellowship hall. Mr. Davis was born February 15, 1940, in Stanly County, NC, to the late James Darius Davis and Emma Jewel Brooks Davis. He attended Wingate for one year before continuing his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with his degree in pharmacy. Mr. Davis devoted 46 years to his career as a pharmacist and took great pride in the fact that he never missed a day of work. He was co-owner of Davis Little Drug Company and later became the owner of Jim Davis Drug. His pharmacy was more than a place of business to him; it was also a place where he could care for and minister to others. He often prayed with people who came into the pharmacy and, through the years, led others to the Lord. He genuinely loved everyone he came in contact with and sought to demonstrate that love through the way he treated and cared for others. His Christian faith was at the center of his life. He was a faithful member of Oakboro First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. His well-worn Bible was a reflection of the time he spent studying God's Word and of a faith that he not only professed, but lived each day. His favorite Bible verse was John 3:16, and his favorite hymn was "I Stand Amazed in the Presence." His family remembers him as an intelligent, faithful, loving and caring man who approached life with courage and happiness. He had a wonderful sense of humor, often accompanied by a mischievous smile and a twinkle in his eye. Mr. Davis was also a private pilot and enjoyed flying. Among his other interests were making lead shot, shooting skeet, rifles and pistols, and doing a little gardening. Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shelbie Jean Helms Davis; his children, Joseph Davis of Oakboro, Karen Little and husband Michael of Locust, and John Davis and wife Amy of Signal Mountain, TN; his sister, Shirley Saunders of Lenoir; four grandchildren, James Little and wife Jennifer of Lone Tree, CO, Sarah Little of Greenville, NC, Jennifer Little of Madison, WI, and Meredith Nye and husband Evan of Fort Worth, TX; and great-grandson, Elliot Little. Memorials may be made to Gideons International South Stanly Camp, P.O. Box 182, Albemarle, NC 28002.

James Brooks Davis

February 15, 1940 - August 22, 2026