Leslie Hill Davis, 84, of Charlotte, died Sunday, November 7, 2021 at CMC Main-Charlotte. He was born October 28, 1937 at the Davis homeplace in Croft NC, to the late Bruce Hill and Candace Rebecca Auten Davis. Leslie attended Croft School, Huntersville School, and later graduated from North Mecklenburg High School. He then went onto earn a chemistry degree from Davidson College.
After working many years as a chemist at such places as Dupont & Union Carbide, he went back to school at UNC-Chapel Hill, earning a degree in pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist for over 30 years, in many retail locations around Charlotte. He was also an avid gardener, gaining Master Gardener status. Leslie humbly served in the US Army Reserve for 37 years, attaining the rank of Colonel.
He not only loved his family & friends; he also loved his gardens & fruit trees. He always took pride in growing his own vegetables and fruits, along with some unique & beautiful flowers. His repertoire of veggies & fruits include growing corn, okra, beets, greens, tomatoes, peas, beans, sweet potatoes, peaches, figs, blueberries, and so much more, each and every year. He called it his “country buffet”. He was always more than willing to share the fruits of his labor & dispense advice on how to grow good, healthy plants! In addition to being a dedicated gardener, Leslie also enjoyed traveling the US, dancing the night away, singing in the church choir, and taking his grandsons to see the airplanes and trains.
Leslie is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Lou Atkins Davis of the home; daughter, Emily Gale and her husband, Paul IV of Mocksville, NC; son, Brice Davis of Raleigh, NC; grandsons, Paul V & Nathan Gale, and Dylan Davis; brother & sister-in-law, Silas and Junie Davis of Huntersville; nieces, Noelle Small (Jon) of Charlotte & Lois Ellen Tuttle (Hayden) of Huntersville; nephew, Andrew Davis (Beth) of Fort Mill, SC; and several great-nephews and a great-niece. He is also survived by his former daughter-in-law, Barbara Gyori Davis of Clayton, NC.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Margaret Ellen Davis.
A service to celebrate the life of Leslie Davis will be held at First Baptist Church of Mount Holly on Monday, November 15 at 1pm, with burial at Independence Hill Baptist Church in Huntersville following the church service. An ice cream social will be held at Independence Hill after the graveside service. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday night, November 14, at James Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to FBC of Mt. Holly, Independence Hill Baptist Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.