12/13/2025
Neilson Davis, 77, of Shelbyville, Texas passed away on December 11, 2025, in Center, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, Texas on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00am with Rev. Todd Vincent and Rev. Malcom Monroe officiating. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Center, Texas. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home from 10:00-11:00am.
Neilson Davis, a lifelong resident of Shelby County, was born in McKinney, Texas to the late W.I. Davis, Jr. and Inez Neilson Davis on January 16, 1948. He graduated from Center High School in 1966, and following matriculation attended the University of Texas in Austin. He held a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Steven F. Austin State University and a graduate degree in banking from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking in Dallas, Texas. He also served in the United States Navy. On June 1, 2007, he married Diana Gale Ashby. They had 18 wonderful years together, enjoying both traveling and building their life together on the farm in Shelbyville.
For over 50 years, he worked at Farmers State Bank in Center, Texas, beginning his career as a Loan Officer and ending it as Executive Vice President and Senior Lending Officer and Director. Mr. Davis served as a member of Farmers State Bank’s Board of Directors for 27 years. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Farmers State Bank from 2014 to 2025 and was Chairman of the Board of Farmers Bank Shares since 2014. He is to be recognized at the Texas Banker’s Association at their upcoming annual convention for achieving 50 years of service.
His life was marked by service to his community and family legacy. He was a member of the Lion’s Club, serving formerly as president. Additionally, Neilson was a member of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, serving in the past as a board member and president. He was recognized as Young Citizen of the Year by the Chamber. Mr. Davis was a member of the Center Country Club Board of Directors, serving as president multiple times. He was also a member of the City of Center Housing Authority Committee and served at the Sabine River Authority.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Mr. Davis ensured that local scholarships continued at Shelbyville I.S.D. in memory of his grandparents, W.I. and Eula Davis and H.H. and Mavet Neilson. These scholarships are awarded annually to every graduating senior who desires to continue their education.
Mr. Davis was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Center, Texas, and served on the Stewardship Committee.
Neilson’s dedication to his community and family was ever so closely followed by a fierce dedication to his beloved University of Texas Longhorns. He was present at the Cotton Bowl for every Red River Rivalry, not missing a year until health prevented him, enjoying a tradition carried on by his grandfather to attend during the State Fair of Texas. For games he could not attend, he would often be found at the farm rooting on his team with family and lifelong family friends.
Neilson’s life of leadership in his community and family was evident in his dedication to building on roads of service paved by generations before him. He carefully tended and grew the seeds planted by his predecessors, and his beloved family and the Shelby County community continues to benefit from his selfless dedication. He was a loyal friend and helper to many, often stepping in to fill a need without desiring any acknowledgement of his giving. His solid presence, wit, and humor will be sorely missed.
Neilson is survived by:
Loving wife, Diana Ashby Davis
Brother-in-law, Guy Griffin
Daughter, Shannon Ashby
Son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Alex Shoults
Nephew and wife, Patrick and Kasey Griffin
Niece and husband, Kelly and Wesley Wahl
Granddaughter, Taylor Shoults
Great-nephews, Justin and Jason Bobbitt
Great-nieces:
Ava Griffin
Ella and Lucy Wahl
Numerous relatives, and a host of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, W.I. and Inez Davis, and sister Cynthia Davis Griffin.
A heartfelt thanks to Paula Lout and Juan Lopez for their invaluable help in caring for Neilson.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials be made to the First Methodist Church of Center, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Mark Leach, Jerry Pinkston, Don Walker, Bryan Dean, Joey Lawson, Ben Wulf, Juan Lopez, Mike Walker, and Deuce Wulf. Honorary pallbearers will be Luke Motley, Fred Wulf, and John Lee Pigg.
Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com.
