Obituary for King Edward Davis Sr.
King Edward Davis went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at Promedica Ebeid Hospice Residence.
King was born on May 20, 1930, to Edward Davis and Ether Simmons-Gravely. He was one of three siblings. He was born in Six, West Virginia, and attended Excelsior High School, graduating in 1949, where he focused on academics and athletics. After high school, King married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth Davis on October 21, 1950. Out of that union, three children were born. He moved his family to Newark, NJ, for a short while until joining the Air Force. He served and committed four years of duty, stationed at Walker's Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. After his honorable discharge, he furthered his education at West Virginia State College, now known as West Virginia State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education. While at West Virginia State, he pledged his beloved TAU Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. After finishing college, and King moved his family to Toledo, Ohio, where he raised his family and began his teaching career. King furthered his education at the University of Toledo, graduating with a Master of Arts. He was gifted as an educator, assistant principal, and, at Gunkel Jr. High, Spencer Sharples, Robinson Jr. High, Glenwood Elementary, Leverette Elementary deputy, and superintendent for Toledo Public Schools. He was also actively engaged in Toledo Head Start after retirement. He focused on all he encountered throughout his phenomenal career. He was also involved in his community in many ways, as a role model, mentor, and referee.
After a two-year courtship in 2007, he married Lena Davis on December 11, 2009, who was by his side upon his death. They shared many memories. One of his favorite pastimes was reading books and working on crossword puzzles. King was a dedicated seventeen-year Braden United Methodist Church member, where his wife continued her membership. He was a Lay speaker and a member of Methodist Men. On August 13, 2017, he was honored for his outstanding service in the military and education under the leadership of Pastor Wynston E. Dixson. King and his wife, Lena, shared and enjoyed many travels to masonic and shrine functions and family trips to Atlanta, GA, Columbus, OH, Pontiac, MI, and Mississippi. King was committed to the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Composite Lodge #108, Pride of Composite #81 OES, PHA, and the Prince Hall Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdiction, Inc., Mecca Temple #43. He was an Honorary Past Potentate of Mecca Temple #43. King received a certificate of appreciation at The Nathan Hale 2nd Annual Back to School Day Celebration. It was stated that "You, Mr. King Davis are a "Great Inspiration" and your life-changing work has not gone unnoticed and unappreciated."
King was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Davis and Ether Simmons-Gravely, firstborn son King Edward Davis II; Elizabeth Davis; his sisters and their spouses, Bernadine A. (Ed) Stevenson and Valerie (Lacey) Kelly. He is survived by his wife, Lena M. Davis; daughter, Dr. Ruth Renée (Nathaniel) Hill, Columbus, Ohio; sons Edward (Ricky) Valentino (Annie) Davis and Anthony (Tony) Edward Davis I, both of Toledo; stepsons Antonio D. Jones, Pearl Mississippi, and Cedric L. (Elaine) West, Flowood, Mississippi.
In-laws; Daisy Taylor and Kathy Randall, Jackson, Mississippi; Jeanne Harris, Toledo, Ohio; Willie (Ida) Cooper-Young, Byram, Mississippi; Taylor (Cynthia) Young, Anthony Steel, and Earl (Stacey) Steel, Jackson, Mississippi, Lou Eric (Michelle) Harris , Akron, Ohio and Clarence McCoy, Alabama.
Grandchildren; Deborah Renée Hampton, Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth Dominique Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia; Anthony Edward (Jalana) Davis II, and Ashaia Danielle Westerfield, both of Columbus, Ohio; Lafonda Davis, Los Angeles, CA, Anthony Davis, Toledo, Ohio
Great-grandchildren, Destinee Janae Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia; McKenzee Synai O'Daniel, Columbus, Ohio; Amare Jameer and Elizabeth Kennedy Davis, Columbus, Ohio; Van Johnson III, Atlanta, Georgia; Amiya Rae Davis, Columbus, OH, and Lailah Monae Parks, Columbus, Ohio
Bonus grandchildren; Samella NaCole Hill and Nathaniel Lee Hill II, both of Toledo, Ohio; Evan Mikal, Hill of Columbus, Ohio, and Asia Nail, Toledo, Ohio; Nitjah West, Toledo, Ohio; Antonio Jones Jr., Greeley, Colorado, Shantia Jones, Pearl, Mississippi, Jessica Meeks, Jackson, MS, Brianna, Toledo, Ohio, Jarvis Jacob, Flowood, Mississippi.
Six bonus great-grandchildren; Five in Toledo, Ohio, and one in Pearl, Mississippi; and a host of relatives, friends, and community members.
King was born on May 20, 1930, to Edward Davis and Ether Simmons-Gravely. He was one of three siblings. He was born in Six, West Virginia, and attended Excelsior High School, graduating in 1949, where he focused on academics and athletics. After high school, King married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth Davis on October 21, 1950. Out of that union, three children were born. He moved his family to Newark, NJ, for a short while until joining the Air Force. He served and committed four years of duty, stationed at Walker's Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. After his honorable discharge, he furthered his education at West Virginia State College, now known as West Virginia State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education. While at West Virginia State, he pledged his beloved TAU Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. After finishing college, and King moved his family to Toledo, Ohio, where he raised his family and began his teaching career. King furthered his education at the University of Toledo, graduating with a Master of Arts. He was gifted as an educator, assistant principal, and, at Gunkel Jr. High, Spencer Sharples, Robinson Jr. High, Glenwood Elementary, Leverette Elementary deputy, and superintendent for Toledo Public Schools. He was also actively engaged in Toledo Head Start after retirement. He focused on all he encountered throughout his phenomenal career. He was also involved in his community in many ways, as a role model, mentor, and referee.
After a two-year courtship in 2007, he married Lena Davis on December 11, 2009, who was by his side upon his death. They shared many memories. One of his favorite pastimes was reading books and working on crossword puzzles. King was a dedicated seventeen-year Braden United Methodist Church member, where his wife continued her membership. He was a Lay speaker and a member of Methodist Men. On August 13, 2017, he was honored for his outstanding service in the military and education under the leadership of Pastor Wynston E. Dixson. King and his wife, Lena, shared and enjoyed many travels to masonic and shrine functions and family trips to Atlanta, GA, Columbus, OH, Pontiac, MI, and Mississippi. King was committed to the Masonic Order. He was a member of the Composite Lodge #108, Pride of Composite #81 OES, PHA, and the Prince Hall Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdiction, Inc., Mecca Temple #43. He was an Honorary Past Potentate of Mecca Temple #43. King received a certificate of appreciation at The Nathan Hale 2nd Annual Back to School Day Celebration. It was stated that "You, Mr. King Davis are a "Great Inspiration" and your life-changing work has not gone unnoticed and unappreciated."
King was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Davis and Ether Simmons-Gravely, firstborn son King Edward Davis II; Elizabeth Davis; his sisters and their spouses, Bernadine A. (Ed) Stevenson and Valerie (Lacey) Kelly. He is survived by his wife, Lena M. Davis; daughter, Dr. Ruth Renée (Nathaniel) Hill, Columbus, Ohio; sons Edward (Ricky) Valentino (Annie) Davis and Anthony (Tony) Edward Davis I, both of Toledo; stepsons Antonio D. Jones, Pearl Mississippi, and Cedric L. (Elaine) West, Flowood, Mississippi.
In-laws; Daisy Taylor and Kathy Randall, Jackson, Mississippi; Jeanne Harris, Toledo, Ohio; Willie (Ida) Cooper-Young, Byram, Mississippi; Taylor (Cynthia) Young, Anthony Steel, and Earl (Stacey) Steel, Jackson, Mississippi, Lou Eric (Michelle) Harris , Akron, Ohio and Clarence McCoy, Alabama.
Grandchildren; Deborah Renée Hampton, Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth Dominique Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia; Anthony Edward (Jalana) Davis II, and Ashaia Danielle Westerfield, both of Columbus, Ohio; Lafonda Davis, Los Angeles, CA, Anthony Davis, Toledo, Ohio
Great-grandchildren, Destinee Janae Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia; McKenzee Synai O'Daniel, Columbus, Ohio; Amare Jameer and Elizabeth Kennedy Davis, Columbus, Ohio; Van Johnson III, Atlanta, Georgia; Amiya Rae Davis, Columbus, OH, and Lailah Monae Parks, Columbus, Ohio
Bonus grandchildren; Samella NaCole Hill and Nathaniel Lee Hill II, both of Toledo, Ohio; Evan Mikal, Hill of Columbus, Ohio, and Asia Nail, Toledo, Ohio; Nitjah West, Toledo, Ohio; Antonio Jones Jr., Greeley, Colorado, Shantia Jones, Pearl, Mississippi, Jessica Meeks, Jackson, MS, Brianna, Toledo, Ohio, Jarvis Jacob, Flowood, Mississippi.
Six bonus great-grandchildren; Five in Toledo, Ohio, and one in Pearl, Mississippi; and a host of relatives, friends, and community members.