Erwin Lee Davis, 74, of Fayetteville, passed away Monday, October 28, 2019 in Fayetteville. He was born May 11, 1945 in Conway, AR to Thomas and Valta Shock Davis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Monica Leigh Davis; and a sister, Carol Jean Williams.
Erwin was an attorney practicing law for 48 years. He was also a business law instructor at the University of Arkansas. He enjoyed deer hunting, camping with family and friends, traveling and was an avid reader. Erwin adored his family and was a friend to everyone.
He is survived by his children, Lara Mae Mattox of Tulsa, OK, Amanda Suzanne Davis of Fayetteville, Benjamin Lee Davis and wife, LeeAnn of Little Rock, Matthew Thomas Davis and wife, Courtney of Farmington, Rachel Elizabeth Lee of Alexandria, VA and Kerwin Mikhail Lee Davis of Fayetteville; a brother, Lyle Edward Davis of Haskell, OK; 8 grandchildren, Banyan Eugene White, Wesley Garrett Mattox, William Aspen Davis, Jackson Kunishi Davis, Julianna Lee Mattox, Logan Blane Davis, Eden Monroe Davis and Wyatt Lee Davis.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday, November 1, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Beard’s Chapel. Interment will be 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 9, 2019 in Heffington Cemetery in Enola, AR.
***PLEASE NOTE: INTERMENT CHANGED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2019 TO SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2019 AT 1:OO PM IN ENOLA, AR***
Prayers going up for the family!!
Prayers for his family. He was an awesome man. Wishing you all strength and comfort.
Prayers for the family , Erwin was a great man. R.I.P my friend
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Erwin was a regular at my moms restaurant Jerry’s, he was always in good spirits, enjoyed his breakfast with coffee and the morning paper. Rest in love Erwin.
Thank you, Jessica, I have eaten at Jerry’s with Erwin (back in 2003 thru 2006) and he did indeed feel like he was at home in your restaurant. He loved the food, but mainly he loved the people and friendships that grew from your place. I can only hope you have all those newspapers picked up by now!!!
Erwin’s brother: Lyle E. Davis
Such a wonderful guy. Never a frown. Years ago coming in for coffee and newspaper. Prayers
Thank you for offering your condolences. I’m Erwin’s oldest child and Jerry’s was a huge part of my childhood. He took me there every Sunday before church. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized he probably are there as much as he did at home! : ) Such fond memories of that place!
Erwin was the greatest trial lawyer I’ve ever known—sort of the Clarence Darrow of Fayetteville. The man could convince a jury of just about anything. He taught me a whole lot. He was also a fine deer hunting partner and a great friend. I shall never forget him.
My heartfelt prayers go out to Erwin’s family whom he adored. Erwin was a good friend and helped a lot of people. RIP!!!
some mutual friends and got to know Erwin really well over the next 15 years as we hung out together in a lot of social gatherings. Erwin always treated me and many others as a brother and many people that we met thought we were brothers because we were always together. Erwin never met a stranger! I have never been anywhere with Erwin that he didn’t know several people no matter where we were! Everyone loved Erwin! Erwin was and still is one of the most…
James Smith
November 07, 2019 | LOWELL, AR | Friend
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I first met Erwin when he was a business law professor at the U of Arkansas in 1981. Over the next near 40 years, he was a steadfast friend, mentor, and one of the three most influential men in my life. Erwin and I baled hay on his farm, tailgated at the UofA football games, and spent a lot of time just talking….even when I had moved out of state. He always made time for me and my family and helped us out a time or two when one of us got a little to rowdy for our own good. His sense of…
Joey Breckenridge
November 04, 2019 | Melbourne, FL | Friend
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Truely NWA’s best lawyer and friend, he will be dearly missed. My condolenses go out to his family. Not only was he my families but a family friend. Thank you for saving my life so many times Irwin.
Provence Family
November 01, 2019 | Springdale, AR | Friend
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Gods speed counselor
Randall Steele
October 30, 2019 | Siloam Springs, AR | Friend
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He was the best lawyer in NWA he will truly be missed. He cared about his clients. My heart goes out to his friends and Family. God Bless
Teresa Booher
October 30, 2019 | Huntsville, AR | Acquaintance
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Sign Guest Book Scrolls to Condolence Entry
I met Erwin in 1990 through some mutual friends and got to know Erwin really well over the next 15 years as we hung out together in a lot of social gatherings. Erwin always treated me and many others as a brother and many people that we met thought we were brothers because we were always together. Erwin never met a stranger! I have never been anywhere with Erwin that he didn’t know several people no matter where we were! Everyone loved Erwin! Erwin was and still is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met! He was a great inspiration and mentor not only to me but to everyone he met! I and everyone he knew will miss him dearly!
God bless my brother,
Jimmy Smith
Good Good MAN!!! R.I.L.
Very sorry for your loss
Erwin was an amazing friend and we are truly blessed to have had him encounter our lives. Conversations where never lacking with him :). Prayers to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers for peace, to the family and friends .Erwin was indeed a true ,wise and kind man, and never turned down a request to share his knowledge..
So sorry for your loss. I pray for peace for the entire family
Condolences to Ben and all the family.
Chris Watts, Elizabeth Hollingsworth,
Linda Watts
I was a really close friend I met mr Davis hiring him for my son he was 17 years old he is now 35 in Federal..still our Attorney..I’m.heart broken because I went to his office but mr DAVIS was not in i went there a few times ..I’m heart broken because he always had away of building broken people up ..i love you all and lets keep mr Davis name alive he was the greatest .RIP MR DAVIS
Hi Mary, thank you so much for leaving your thoughts here. Im Erwin’s oldest and your words left a big impression on me. I quoted you in my eulogy at his funeral service. I hope you don’t mind. Blessings to you!
Have known Erwin since our law school days, he will be missed.
Erwin I will always remember your smile and laugh you are Sir. a Great man you will be forever remembered and missed thank you for all your advice and guidance over the years !!
I’m very sorry for your loss…
He will be missed very much he had heart of gold
I dry ckeaned all of Erwin’s clothes when One Hour Fabric Care was in Evelyn Hills. I looked forward to the days that he came in the store. He will surely be missed
As I noted in my book “Mr. Prosecutor” “As a defense attorney he was always underestimated, unappreciated, and never given the respect he deserved as a superior trial lawyer” p452. He specialized in bringing the jury into the crime scene so they could look at it the way his client did. He was an old school gentleman who after a bitter courtroom battle would still shake your hand and smile in a way that told you it was OK. I think he won a case against every deputy prosecutor in my office. I was the lone survivor of his skills, but not by much. He will be missed by me because he was a colorful and unique and valuable member of the bar who helped make the practice of criminal law a joy.
Erwin was a mentor by example to me, and a great casual drinking buddy. I’ll miss him greatly.
Erwin was a great friend and drinking buddy, as well as a mentor to me.
Even though I haven’t seen him lately, I’ll miss him.
Condolences to all Erwins family. I’ve been friends with Erwin for 17 years. He will always live in my heart forever. RIP my dear friend. I will always miss you! Prayers to all who knew him! Until we meet again! He was an awesome person!🤗😇🙏😘❤️😥
So sorry for your loss we are heart broken he was a good friend
Erwin had such a fun wit and was always interested in helping others
He will be missed
God Bless
Erwin was an awesome excellent Attorney and he always had a smile on his face. He will be missed by many. RIP sweet Erwin
My condolences to his family!!
He was one amazing man! I’m so sorry for your loss! Sending lots of prayers and hugs!
I knew Erwin when I lived in Fayetteville about the time he started practicing law. He was very impressive then. He was a good friend. I am very saddened to hear of his passing.
My condolences to family. Erwin was a great man. He was the lawyer in NWA. I was someone he represented and he truly cared. That was almost two decades ago and I would stop in and say hello and he would chat with me for hours. I’m sure he will be missed by many. RIP
Erwin was my Business Law professor at U of A, he was gem of a man, always in high spirits, if I remember correctly he also ran against Bill Clinton for Arkansas Governor, RIP