Hoyt Elwood "Woody" Davis

Hoyt Elwood “Woody” Davis, affectionately known as “Captain Woody,” passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family.

Woody was born on October 29, 1935, in Lucedale, Mississippi, one of four sons born to Henry E. Davis and Evie Lucille Davis.

On January 8, 1961, Woody married the love of his life, Anita M. Bond. Together, they shared three children and over 43 years of love, laughter, and adventure until her passing in 2004.

In his youth, Woody began his career as a shrimper and pogy boat fisherman, working alongside his brothers on family-owned vessels, The Last Chance and The Nimrod. He entered the United States Marine Corps in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1962 as a sergeant, carrying with him the discipline and dedication that would shape the rest of his life. After the Marines, his journey eventually led him offshore, where he served as Superintendent of Overseas Operations for Petrol Marine in Houma, Louisiana. A lifelong mariner, Captain Woody took great pride in earning his Master of Oceans license with unlimited tonnage, therefore, allowing him to operate supply vessels and move oil rigs all over the world. During one of his voyages, he was honored with a pilot’s license to navigate the Panama Canal—a prestigious achievement.

In 1981, he founded Nimrod Marine, which he operated until the oil industry downturn in the mid-1980s. He then sold the business and continued his career working for Sydney and Al Gonsoulin at SeaMar, Inc., until retiring at the age of 71. Known for his strong work ethic and integrity, Woody lived by his mottos: “A man is only as good as his word and his handshake” and “Do whatever it takes.” With just one phone call, Captain Woody could make sure you had a “J.O.B. by 5 O.C.” if you truly wanted to work.

In retirement, Captain Woody found joy in life’s simple pleasures, from the back porch of Woodreaux’s Camp, overseeing the bayou and cutting grass. He had many lifelong professional and personal achievements—far more than could ever be fully captured in words and stories that could take a lifetime to tell—and he will be deeply missed. His legacy of honor, hard work, love for his family and the sea will live on through all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Woody was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anita M. Bond Davis; his infant son, William Henry Davis; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Anderson Holifield; brothers, Raymond L. Davis, Henry E. “Sonny” Davis, and James “Jimmy” Henry Davis; sister-in-law, Jeana Fisher Davis;  brother- in-law, Richard Carroll; and brother and sister in law, Danny and Judy Bond Breazeale.

                                                                          
He is survived by his daughters, Stormy (Edgar) Lambert and Danielle (Phillip) Anderson; grandchildren, Judy (Devin) Sloan, Hayden (Ashton) Lambert, Laken (Jacob) West, and Payten (Colton) Hackett; great-grandchildren, River Holifield, Easton Sloan, Elsie Lambert, Aiden Curtis, and Eleanor West; sister-in-law, Bobbie Carroll (Robert Riley); brothers-in-law, Rocky Bond and Billy (Marilyn) Bond; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and other beloved family members.

A visitation will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula from 5-7 pm.  Funeral Service will be Sunday April19, 2026 at the Funeral Home Chapel at 1pm followed by graveside at Griffin Cemetery with military honors. Serving as pallbearers Edgar Lambert, Phillip Anderson, Raymond Davis, Jr, Dewitt Lanham, Les Shoemaker, and Rusty DeMouey.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hoyt Elwood "Woody" Davis, please visit our floral store.