Sally Davis

Sally Davis, 88, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at her residence in Newbern, Tennessee.

Born Monday, July 19, 1937, in Ripley, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late James Richard Thornley and the late Emma Laura Calhoun Thornley. 

Sally was a retired schoolteacher with the Dyer County School System, where she touched countless lives during her years at Newbern High School, before it became Dyer County High School, and Newbern Elementary School. Her gentle spirit, patience, and passion for teaching left a lasting impact on generations of students.

She shared her life with her beloved husband, Ab, who served as coach of the Dyer County High School football team. Sally was his greatest supporter—faithfully cheering on the Choctaws from the sidelines and proudly standing beside him through every victory and challenge.

Family was the center of Sally’s world. She deeply cherished the times spent together and the precious memories they created. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew her best.

Graveside services for Mrs. Davis will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Officiating this service will be Dr. John Lowrance. Friends are asked to gather at the cemetery.

She leaves to cherish her memory, one son, Steve Davis (Amanda) of Millington, Tennessee; one daughter, Laura Davis Wright(Stephan) of Newbern, Tennessee; and she was "Mama Sally" and to her seven grandchildren, Justin Wright (Stacy), Stevi Thompson (Bruce), Jaret Wright (Paige), Molly Moody (Nick) and B. A. Davis (  Nikki ), Brandy Regan and Jessica Adams (Michael) and "M'am" to her twelve great grandchildren, Reagan Thompson (Branten Smith), Abbie Wright, Davis Wright, Ella Wright, Max Thompson, Larah Jane Moody, Liza Wright, Anna Wright, Cord Moody, Beau Davis, Casey Adams and Caroline Adams and one great-great grandchild, Berklee Smith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, of fifty-nine years, Coach Ab Davis, one sister, Jo Cathey and two great-grandchildren, Brylee Kate Thompson and Levi Eugene Moody.

Honoring Mrs. Davis as pallbearers will be Justin Wright, Jaret Wright, B. A. Davis, Bruce Thompson, Nick Moody and Stephan Wright.

The Davis Family would like to give a special thanks to Kathy Baucom, Jenni Fox and Lynnice Rosenthal for the love and care they gave to our "Mama Sally".

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Sally Davis.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sally Davis, please visit our floral store.