John Virgil Davis, 26, of Athens, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at his home.

He attended Riceville Elementary School and McMinn County High School, where he played football and baseball, and was a member of Eastanallee Baptist Church. He was disabled from cancer at the early age of 15. A native of Bradley County, and a lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Virgil and Ruth Davis.

Survivors include his mother, Terry Thomas Davis of Athens; his father and his wife, Steve and Sandy Davis of Ten Mile; his best friend and Mamaw, Bobbie Sue Edwards Thomas of Athens; his grandfather, Jack Thomas Sr. of Crossville; one brother, Paul Davis of Brentwood; two sisters, Amy Davis Carroll and Nikki Davis, both of Athens; one niece and one nephew whom he loved very much, Madeline Riley Carroll and William Tucker Carroll; a special uncle, Jack Thomas Jr., and aunt, Jane; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Oran Creasman Officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday in Eastanallee Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Junior Thomas, Matt Skorupan, Kyle Owens, Jim Davis, Jerry Davis and Jamie Davis.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Faye Forgety, 120 County Rd. 447, Athens, TN 37303; or McMinn Area Cancer Relief Fund, c/o Lisa Stewart, president, P.O. Box 352, Athens, TN 37371-0352.