Robert "Sonny" Davis

Robert Walton “Sonny” Davis, Sr. age 91 went to be with the Lord on June 12th, 2025. He was born January 26, 1934 in Altheimer, Arkansas. He was a member of Hazel Street Church of Christ in Pine Bluff. Preceding him in death was his wife, Emily Waymack Davis, his father Robert Ellis Davis, his mother Earline Davis, his sister Bobbie Frances Wallace, his brother-in-law Joe Wallace and great nephew Joseph Wallace.

He attended Altheimer Public Schools from first grade to graduation. After attending college and earning his degree at Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) in Conway, Arkansas he joined the United States Army and served four years in Korea. When he returned from the army he began his teaching /coaching career at Humphrey Public Schools. During that time, he met his future wife, Emily Waymack who taught at a neighboring school. They married on July 10, 1960 at Southside Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. They had a loving marriage for 63 years. They were blessed with two children: a daughter Susan Lynn Davis and a son Robert Walton “Walt” Davis, Jr.

He is survived by his daughter Susan Reynolds and her husband Larry, grandchildren Kristen Elliott and her husband Nate of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Tyler Reynolds and his wife Lori of Bixby, Oklahoma and Cole Reynolds of Cabot, Arkansas, a great grandson, Jackson Reynolds and two great grandbabies on the way, son Walt Davis and wife Tina, granddaughters Ticia Rainwater and her husband Chad of Charleston, Arkansas, Callie Baldridge and her husband Aaron of Quitman, Arkansas, great grandchildren Hudson Rainwater, Caydon Rainwater and Cort Baldridge.

Sonny was a wonderful Christian husband, father and pop to his grandkids and was loved by all who knew him. His sense of humor kept us laughing until we hurt often. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and church family. In teaching, coaching and administration he touched so many lives as well.

His career included time as teacher and coach at Humphrey Public Schools and Altheimer Public Schools. During this time, he also earned his master’s degree in administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and served as Principal at Hot Springs Lakeside as well as Administrator at England Academy. Sonny returned to Humphrey as Superintendent where he completed his career.

He was an avid (some would say rabid) supporter of the Arkansas Razorbacks and New York Yankees and even a bigger fan when watching his son and grandchildren compete in sports throughout the years. Sonny had such a strong knowledge of basketball, so much so that he sometimes felt the need to tell the referees how it should be. He loved traveling with his family and those times were so many of our core memories.

Sonny loved his family fiercely but also held us accountable. There was no one on earth he loved more than his Emily, and we cannot imagine the reunion they are having.

Pallbearers will be Ed Hinson, Vernon Lutrell, Kenny Euseppi, Mark Goodlow, James Nelson, Nate Elliott, Logan Adair, and John Erstine. 

Visitation will be Monday, June 16th from 10 am – 12 noon at the Hazel Street Church of Christ, 4015 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Graveside service will be at 1:00 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6707 Dollarway Road, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.