Boyce Davis

Boyce Henry "DERO" Davis, 85, passed away on August 20, 2017 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC with family by his side. DERO was born in Selma, North Carolina on April 1, 1932 to the late Ava Pearl Poole Davis and Robert Sanders "Daddy" Davis. DERO learned the value of hard work early in life, often working alongside his daddy in the cotton mill. DERO attended Duke University after he graduated from Selma High School. There he decided it was more important to serve his country and he enlisted in the Navy where he was stationed on the USS Intrepid during the Korean War. After he completed his Navy service, DERO continued his education at UNC Chapel Hill, becoming a lifelong Tar Heel fan after graduation. He played baseball for UNC and most importantly met and married his wife Elizabeth "Betsy" Register Davis while he was there. After beginning a successful career with Lowes Home Improvement in North Wilkesboro, NC, DERO took early retirement to fulfill his vision and dream of being an independent business man. He and Betsy founded DERO'S Paint and Decorating, Inc. in Winston-Salem, NC. He put his life into DERO'S, along with his wife Betsy and son Ron, growing from a local store to a regionally recognized wallpaper, paint, and fabric retail center with more than 30 years of operation as a family business. DERO was well liked and recognized as "Mr. DERO" in the community long after he retired. He and Betsy enjoyed much of their retirement in Naples, FL and Blowing Rock, NC before returning home to Winston-Salem. DERO'S life was more than just his work and business. He was passionate about golf and played some of the best courses in the world like Pebble Beach in California, St. Andrews and Royal Dornoch in Scotland. He loved to play golf with his oldest son Rob whenever he could. DERO was a man of great faith who was active in his church and community wherever he lived. He often expressed his gratitude for being blessed with his family and friends throughout his life. He loved his family and was thrilled as the next generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren were born. No father ever loved a daughter more than DERO loved Alicia. DERO stayed close with his childhood friends from Selma. He was happy and proud to have attended the 66th reunion of the Selma High School Class of 1950. Class reunions and the Good Ol' Boys of Selma gatherings were treasured events throughout his life. Surviving are his wife of 60 years Elizabeth "Betsy" Davis known as "Mrs. DERO"; sons, Robert "Rob" Sanders Davis III (Cindy) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Ronald "Ron" Clayton Davis (Brenda) of Clemmons, NC; daughter, Alicia Lee (Jonathon) of Lewisville, NC; grandchildren, Robert Matthew Davis of New Orleans LA, Alexis Summer Davis of New Orleans LA , Robert Sanders Davis IV of Greensboro, NC, Elizabeth "Izzie" Davis of Clemmons, NC, Jacqueline Elizabeth Lee of Raleigh, NC, Boyce Henry Lee of Lewisville, NC, and Jesse Randolph Davis of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; great-grandchildren, Henry Davis and Pierce Davis of New Orleans, LA. A memorial service will be held September 15, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Clemmons Presbyterian Church, 3930 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium immediately after the service. The family will receive friends at a reception to follow in the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clemmons Presbyterian Church or to Cancer Services, 3175 Maplewood Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

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