In the late summer of 2018, the community of Manchester in Coffee County, Tennessee, was struck by a sudden and tragic loss. Austin Payton Davis, a 17-year-old Caucasian male, passed away on Friday, August 31, 2018. His death, which occurred at Unity Medical Center, was the result of a tragic accident at his home. According to the Coffee County Sheriff's investigators, Austin was at home with family members and was playing with a gun when he accidentally shot himself.
The news of his untimely death sent ripples of shock and sorrow through his circle of friends and the broader community.
Austin, who was born on April 29, 2001, in Rutherford County to Steven and Kimberly Davis, was remembered as a young man with a vibrant love for the outdoors. He found joy in activities such as horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and frog gigging. His interests were varied, extending to playing basketball, working on trucks, and spending cherished time with his friends. A yearly attendee of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, he possessed a diverse appreciation for music. Those who knew him, some by the affectionate nickname "Boo Boo," recalled a person with a good soul who didn't know a stranger and would do anything for anyone.
In the days following his death, friends and family gathered to remember the young man whose life was cut short. A gathering was held at Coffee County Central High School, where friends shared stories and memories in the spot where Austin used to park his truck. The family received friends and held funeral services at the Coffee County Funeral Chapel the following week, requesting that attendees come in casual attire, a reflection of Austin's own approachable nature. In lieu of flowers, they suggested memorial contributions be made in his memory to the funeral chapel. There is no information in online sources regarding any arrests or suspects, as his death was determined to be an accident.
