Walter Wayne Davis

Mr. Walter Wayne Davis, age 79, of Sanford, NC, transitioned to eternal rest on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford, NC.

OUR PATRIARCH…

“…All my life, You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good.
With every breath that I am able. Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God”

WALTER WAYNE DAVIS was born on December 8, 1946, in Harnett County, North Carolina, as the oldest child of the legacy of the late Annie Davis Watson. He matriculated through the Harnett County School System. He was a proud alumnus of the former Johnsonville High School, Cameron NC - Class of 1966.

WAYNE, which he was affectionately called by everyone, was dependable, dedicated, industrious, and committed to every task placed before him. He maintained full-time employment at GKN Driveline, Sanford NC, and later at Moen Manufacturer, Sanford, NC until he retired on May 3, 2011. He rarely missed a day of work.

WAYNE’s driving force was his precious gift from God – the former Rosie Lee Shaw. They began their lifelong journey together on March 10, 1973. They were an inseparable, dynamic duo, and a perfect union. He was her chauffeur and wherever she wanted to go, he obliged. From her shopping sprees to church to gospel singing programs to family reunions and class reunions to supporting their daughter and granddaughter in school activities and such like, when you saw one, you saw the other.

WAYNE was a man of strong faith and truly dedicated his life to the ministry of Love Grove AME Zion Church, Sanford NC, where he was a lifelong member. His journey of faith and service showed that he was readily available to make his contributions to the Lord’s church without hesitation. He willingly served as a member of the Board of Stewards and the Lay Council. He was a Church School teacher and a former member of the Homecoming/Revival evangelistic team. He was one of the original members of the Heavenly Voices Choir and also, the Love Grove Male Chorus.  

To his family, WAYNE was a provider, a protector, and the prayer warrior. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke his words were full of wisdom, thoughtfulness, and faith in God. Even as illness prevented both him and his wife from attending various events and programs in their latter years, they still found the time to send love and whisper a prayer for the success of the occasion.

As his family gathered on Sunday, March 8, 2026, to surround him with love as we remembered his beloved Rosie, WAYNE commenced his own personal journey towards the same celestial shore as her. As the darkness of the night fell on the horizon, WAYNE was experiencing the brightness of Heaven’s glory forever as he united with his Savior and his Rosie. Nevertheless, we praise our Heavenly Father for the life and ministry of a “good and faithful servant!”

WAYNE is preceded in death by his wife of a few days short of 53 years: Rosie Lee Shaw Davis (March 1, 2026); his mother: Annie Davis Watson; his sister: Annette Watson; his brother: Louis Davis; his maternal grandparents: Thomas and Esther M. Davis; three uncles; three aunts; his parents-in-law: Howard and Victorine Elliott Shaw; and his in-laws: Margaret Shaw Russ, Russell Shaw, Wilma Shaw McNeill, and Mary Jo Shaw Hickman.

WAYNE’s legacy will live on in the hearts of his daughter: Shauna Davis of Euless TX; his granddaughter, whom he raised: Nyasia Davis of the home; his spiritual daughter: Tashika S. Smith (Michael) of Fayetteville NC; his siblings: Shelia Davis of Greensboro NC, Nelson Davis (Sylvia) of Virginia Beach VA, and Rodney Watson (Carmen) of San Antonio TX; two nephews; four nieces; great-nieces and great-nephews; his uncles: Ellis Davis, Gerard Davis (Peggy), Waymon Davis (Brenda) all of Sanford NC and Norman Davis (Eulah) of Winston Salem NC; his in-laws: Susan Davis of Fayetteville NC, Sherman Shaw of Sanford NC, Ruth Shaw Wright of Aberdeen NC, Francis B. Shaw of Cary NC, Lucille S. Sims (Stewart) of Corona CA, and Juan Russ of Jackson-Hamlet NC; generations of cousins; Love Grove Church Family; and long-time classmates and friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Sanford, NC