Longtime pastor, musician Roland Wayne Davis dies at age 84

Longtime pastor, musician Roland Wayne Davis dies at age 84

Roland Wayne Davis, former Alabama Baptist pastor, died April 30. He was 84.

Davis, a Moundville native, gave his life to Christ during Youth Week at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega. He graduated from Samford University in Birmingham and was ordained to preach by Moundville Baptist Church after he returned from the Army in 1957. 

In his 61-year ministry, Davis served churches all over Alabama. He spent the longest time — 25 years — as pastor of Liberty Hill Baptist Church, Clanton. After retiring from Liberty Hill, he served as pastor of Maple Springs Baptist Church, Clanton, where he helped the church rebuild after a fire. 

Davis also served as pastor of a church in Kentucky while studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He was known for his sense of humor and for being a student of the Bible. He was also a musician and in the 1970s he wrote a song about his wife, Carolyn, called “Seven Years With a Wonderful Woman” that country singer Charley Pride recorded.

Davis is survived by his wife; son, Anthony; daughter, Andrea; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. (Grace Thornton)