Javan Olester Davis was born March 25, 1932 in Sontag, Mississippi to Booker T. and Vallie Mae Davis. He was the second eldest of eleven siblings. Javan was known to friends and family as Jay.

Jay was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, he moved to Toledo, Ohio, and married his late wife of 59 years, Margaret L. Cohen. From this union they had four children. Jay was employed by Midland Ross where he retired after 37 years of service.

When Jay was not working, he loved to golf, bowl, hunt, fish, travel, and spend time with family and friends. Jay also looked forward to traveling back home to Sontag, with his siblings, whenever he could. The adventurous side of him, equally enjoyed the annual family outing to Lake Hope, where he walked the mountains, canoed, camped, and spent quality time with those closest to his heart.

Jay is survived by children Larry (Elizabeth) Stewart, Ibrahim (Farida) Rahim, Javan (Kimberly) O. Davis Jr, Kevin L. Davis, Angela M. Davis, and Derek G. Davis. Siblings, Verlene (Michael) Starks, W. Evelyn (Elwood -deceased) Brown, Joseph (Ida – deceased) Davis, Donald (Patricia) Davis, Lizzie Hartwell, A. Eugene Davis, and Vanessa (Clyde) Davis-Campbell; grand and great children, and host of other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by father Booker T, mother Vallie Mae, wife Margaret Davis, siblings Willie C. Davis, Fannie M. Lawson, and Melvin J. Davis.