Curtis Eugene Davis

Seneca, SC– Curtis Eugene Davis, 91, husband of the late Whyoma Nichols Davis, of Seneca, SC, passed away on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Dominion Senior Living.

 

A native of Broxton, GA, Mr. Davis was the son of the late Clarence and Mae Davis. He was a United States Army Veteran who served in the Korean War and retired from Wickes Lumber. Mr. Davis was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, the Rotary Club of Seneca, and the Retired Officers Club. He was very active in the Salvation Army.

 

Curtis Davis is best known by his family to be a husband, father, and grandfather who was loving, fun, energetic, and full of life. He and his wife, Whyoma, built a loving home, filed with laughter and great memories. He was also known by his friends and family as quite the entertainer. He was a master of impressions and he entertained groups for many years.

 

Curtis Davis was a generous man. He was a carpenter/handyman who used those abilities to serve the community by heading up the Smurfs Organization through St. Mark United Methodist Church. He and the Smurfs repaired 583 homes of those in need through the years. He also helped lead the Salkehatchie Project, which helped numerous needy homeowners. This led him to be awarded the Governor’s Silver Crescent Award, which is the state’s highest award for community service.

 

Mr. Davis was also an inventor. He had numerous patents through the years, but his invention that had the greatest impact was his Starscope that he invented while in the Army. His invention led the Army to reproduce it as night vision and distribute it to the American soldiers in Vietnam, which saved thousands of lives. His invention is still used today to see at night in the event of a fire. His version of night vision is not affected by heat, unlike lasers, so he is still saving lives today.

 

Mr. Davis is survived by his son: Gary Davis (Dr. Debra Meadows); daughters: Pam Anderson, Kelly Dioguardi (John), Ann Davis, and Teresa Brown (Jim); grandchildren: Matthew Anderson, Mallory Anderson, Jennifer Hanner, Eric Davis, JD Brown, Mackenzie Brown, Donovan Dioguardi, and Jillian Dioguardi; great-grandchildren:  Ian Davis, Carson Hanner, Harrison Curtis Hanner.

 

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his brother: Dewey Todd, and sister: Ophelia Morgan.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at St. Mark United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Heritage Memorial Gardens.

 

A visitation will be held from 1:00 PM-2:00PM, prior to the service, at St. Mark United Methodist