Thomas Richard Davis, Jr.,

Thomas Richard Davis, Jr., "Tom," 64 years old, husband to Elena Z. Davis, passed away peacefully at Northeast Georgia Medical Center on Thursday morning, December 14, 2017.

A "celebration of life" service will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at Lakewood Baptist Church in Gainesville.  Dr. Tom Smiley, Rev. Don Ormsbee, and Dr. Jerry Gill will officiate.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 16, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Little & Davenport Funeral Home.

Tom was born in Macon, Georgia on February 18, 1953.  He graduated from Americus High School in Americus, Georgia in 1971 where he ran track and field.  He attended Georgia Southwestern College in Americus from 1971-1973.  He later moved to Rock Hill, SC and then to Gainesville, GA where he worked at Slack Auto Parts as the Inventory Manager.  He devotedly volunteered at Good News at Noon Ministries where he played guitar, sang, and shared his heart for God for 12 years with hundreds of the homeless and hurting.  He also volunteered in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church in Gainesville for several years.  He retired in 2005.

Tom loved people well and deeply.  If there was a need, Tom did what he could to help.  If someone needed a shoulder to cry on, he gave it.  If someone needed an "ear," he listened.  If someone needed a "big brother," he was there.

In 2009, he met the love of his life from across the globe, Elena Rodzik-Zlobina from St. Petersburg, Russia.  In 2014, she moved from Russia to Gainesville to be with Tom and to eventually marry him that same year.  Together, they attended Lakewood Baptist Church.

Tom was the son of the late Jimmie G. Davis.  He is survived by his wife, Elena, his father, Dr. Thomas Richard Davis, his two sisters, Kathy J. Smith (Benny R. Smith) and Kandy D. Kuglin (Dave Kuglin), his nephew Ronald E. Kelley, III (Mallory J. Kelley), and two great nephews Hudson Davis Kelley and Coleman Allen Kelley.

If there was anything that Tom wanted people to know about him was that he knew Jesus personally as his Lord and Savior, and that the world's greatest need was to know Him too.  The love of God was his hope and now his eternity realized.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in memory of Tom to mission and ministry of Lakewood Baptist Church, Eagle Ranch, Good News at Noon Ministries or the charity of your choice.

Those wishing to send online condolences to Tom's family can do so at www.littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.

Tom, we are grateful for the time you were with us.  Now, through the pain of missing you, we are thankful that you are with Him.