Charles Earl “Charlie” Davis, age 92, of Birmingham, AL, passed away on Monday, November 28 after a brief illness. He was born in Birmingham, son of the late Thomas Moore Davis and Norene Lumpkin Davis. He grew up in Alexander City, Ala., and was a 1942 graduate of Benjamin Russell High School. In 1943, he enlisted in the Americal Division of the U.S. Army serving in New Caledonia, served in the Pacific theatre during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. He enrolled at the University of Alabama in 1946 where he majored in Radio, was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and a drummer in the Cavaliers big band orchestra. In his first job in 1948, Charlie opened a radio station in Greenville, Ala. He later worked at stations in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Charlotte, NC. In 1954, he joined the staff of WAPI radio as mid-day disc jockey. He became the color analyst for Auburn football broadcasts that same year and served in that position through the 1970 season. He was responsible for establishing and expanding the Auburn sports radio network, and also worked one season on the Auburn basketball broadcast team. While at WAPI, he served as television program director, news director and news anchor during some of the area’s most tumultuous times in the 1950s and 1960s. He was also host of the Early Risers Club radio show for many years. He moved to Dothan in 1970 as general manager of a television station, then returned to Birmingham in 1973 where he was part owner of an advertising agency and owner of The Oyster Bar restaurant. He was named Public Relations Director for Carraway Hospitals in 1979 and served in that position until his retirement a decade later. He had one of the most recognizable voices in the Alabama market and was well-known as an advertising spokesman and voice-over announcer. Charlie was a civic and community leader serving for 24 years on the Vestavia Hills City Council. He was president of the Cahaba Heights Civitan Club and emcee of the Miss Alabama Pageant for five years. At the time of his death, he was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church. He had also attended Green Valley Baptist Church, Shades Mountain Baptist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church. Throughout his life, Charlie was an avid golfer and traveler. He was preceded in death by wife, Lucy Jean Holcombe Davis, and sister, Madeline Davis Swift. He is survived by wife, Dodie Phillips Davis; daughter Lera Jean Roddam (Ronnie) and son Charles Earl Davis, Jr. (Henrietta), both of Birmingham; son, Thomas Jay Davis, of Columbus, Ga.; stepdaughter Cindy Phillips Scarbrough (Lyn) and stepson Hilary Kent Phillips (Leigh), both of Birmingham; seven grandchildren, Charles Edwin Davis, Melissa Roddam Wood (Jared), Joseph Ryan Roddam (Trinity), Forrest Lee Davis, Lucy Elizabeth Davis, Thomas Andrew Davis and Charles Connor Davis; five step-grandchildren, Bradley Lyn Scarbrough, Shannon Lane Scarbrough (Michelle), Christopher Lee Poole (Shannon), Hilary Phillips Hill (Stephen) and John Britton Phillips. Services will be at Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home on Thursday, December 1 with visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in his honor.
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6 Entries
November 30, 2016
What a wonderful and talented man. I feel blessed to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Ceil Snow
November 30, 2016
Callie Waldrop
Another light has gone from our family. Charlie was loved and will be missed.
November 29, 2016
May the God of comfort grant you peace and consolation during this difficult time.
November 29, 2016
A.k
Sorry for your loss. May the God of tender mercies be with you at this time.
November 29, 2016
Landmark Church
May the thoughts and prayers of those who love you comfort you during this time of sorrow.
November 29, 2016
May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you through this sad time Psalms 29:11
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