Thomas Paul Davis

   Thomas Paul Davis (88) of Shelby passed away on Friday, Feb 6, 2026, at his home. Born in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Byron and Mae Bechtler Davis. He was a graduate of Number Three High School (class of 1955) and N.C. State University (Class of 1959) with a B.S. in Forestry. He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and was on the Board of Directors of the Number Three Fire Department serving as Treasurer. He served on the Board of Directors of Forestry Mutual Insurance Company and was a member of the N.C. Forestry Association. He had served as a district Supervisor with the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation District for 30 years. Paul was the first Cleveland County Forester from 1959 – 1964, until he joined South Mountain Pulpwood Company and served as President.

   He was preceded in death by four siblings, Beth D. Currie, Lewis B. Davis, Gene T. Davis, and Emily D. Washburn. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Mary Helen Gillespie Davis; daughter, Denise Davis Brookie (John) of Winston Salem, NC; son Mark Paul Davis (Tammy) of Lattimore; four grandchildren, Adam D Brookie (Sierra) of Gold Hill NC; Eli Brookie (Allison) of Leland, NC; Ashley D Hicks (Terry) of Shelby; Ethan J Davis (Meagan) of Kings Mountain NC; 7 great grandchildren, Kenneth Robey, Adeline Davis, Madilynn Ivy Davis, Logan Paul Brookie, Ann Marie Brookie, Jameson Davis Brookie, Ellie Rose Brookie; and 5 step grandchildren; Brady Joyner (Alex); Berkley Joyner; Autumn and Emmalyn Cubano, and Josiah Oakley.

   Memorial service will be held 2:00pm Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at New Hope Baptist Church, Earl NC. Burial will follow in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at New Hope. Memorials may be made to Township Three Fire Department, 2326 Blacksburg Road, Grover NC 28073.

   To sign the guest book, please go to www.clevelandfuneralservices.com.

   A service of Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.