James R. Davis Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James Davis Sr. was born September 13th 1927 to Horace Davis and Rachel Hitchens. Throughout history there have been many great men, but for the Davis family, none will ever be greater than James Roosevelt Davis Sr., "Big Jimmy" as his wife affectionately called him. In recognition of a father who built a steel bond for family members for generation after generation who all had a loving personal relationship with him. At no time was his steel-forged determination more evident than when he pursued the love of his life, Kate Johnson, while they were still in elementary school. He often referred to their relationship as an unlikely couple, him (rambunctious) and her reserved. "They thought I was not good enough for her," he often remembered. Time revealed just how wrong THEY were. At the age of 12, he dropped out of middle school to work in a brick yard to help take care of his younger sisters and brothers. He claimed that as a skinny kid his massive hands allowed him to pick up those heavy brick stacks. It was those massive hands that encouraged generation after generation to remain in good behavior. At age 18 he joined the Army and served in WWII. After he returned, he joined his childhood sweetheart in a marriage that lasted for 70 plus years and blessed them with eight children. No one was a more dedicated provider or harder worker. After working construction, Jimmy would later work at Phoenix Steel, and retire as a truck driver from Wolf Paper Company. He proudly returned to work later as a driver and supervisor of the photo crews for Reach Communications, a company owned by his oldest son James Jr. In short, "Big Jimmy" was what the old folks called a Man's Man. Yes he was full of life when he was young, and NO he did not make any great discoveries or hold any high power position, but what he did do was go to work EVERYDAY to take care of his family and wife whom he loved until his last breath. The strong faith of his wife led Jimmy to give his life to Christ. He was a member of Abounding Grace Worship Center and he had the responsibility of driving the transportation bus for the church. It was under his leadership that the Davis family started taking yearly family vacations that forged the bonds with his children all the way down to his great grandchildren. Every year, there would be a caravan of 10 or more cars packed with family members following dad, down to Virginia Beach, Ocean City MD, Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head. These yearly vacations created wonderful memories for his family enjoying the sun on the beach, jumping in the waves of the ocean or going fishing on the pier In 2006, Jim and Kate moved into a single home in a retirement community. Packed family gatherings for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas that were held in their home in Chester were now held in their new home. Jimmy continued his favorite pass time, bowling, a sport that he loved. At age 80 he won competitions that often earned his name on the board at the bowling alley. He was so proud of his cap with the 300-score embossed on it in recognition of a major milestone. Seven years ago, he was diagnosed with a form of bone marrow cancer that doctors gave him little time to live. Apparently, they did not know the determination of "Big Jimmy", the loving family that surrounded him and the faith that guided them all. They outright rejected that prediction and sought advice from some of the top medical professionals in the field. They devised a treatment plan that returned him to near perfect health, enabling him to continue his legacy of the many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. “Poppop” would be present for each of their important events. He was always there at sporting events, graduations, weddings, and cookouts as he always carried pride for each and every one of them. In the end, our dad or "Big Jimmy" always said that if he could not enjoy life, he did not want to live it in a diminished capacity. So as the family wrestled with the recent determination of his illness and the possibility of bringing him home needing a lot of support, he made the Man's man decision he always said he would; he decided to take God's hand and answer the call for a job well done and to join his family in heaven. One of the last conversations he had before leaving us was about "his beautiful wife with the long black pretty hair." His very last conversation was with his wife, he told her he was thankful for the life they had together. Now dad, it is time for your family to prove that we can continue to build the family bonds you established with your wonderful wife. May you rest in peace. We got it from here! With God's blessing your wife and family will be well taken care of until we are all reunited in heaven. We all thank God for you. Preceded in death by Rachel Hitchens (mother) Horace Davis (father), Rachel Williams (sister), Betty Owens (sister), Horace Davis, Jr. (brother), Vincent Davis (brother), 4 Children, (Tiyeast, Tanya, Bryant and Celeste), 1 Granddaughter (Nonni Jenkins), 1 Great grandson (Breon Triggs). Jim Davis Sr. leaves behind wife, Kate Davis, 4 children:James R. Davis, Jr.(Shelia), Karen Coursey(Michael), Karlieta Thorpe (James), Crystal Stewart (Darrell) and a host of grandchildren: El’lan Morgan (Mark), Tiyeast Rawls (Kyle), Jeanana Lloyd (Darnell), Bryant Coursey (Karae), Sekiea Thorpe (Carolyn), Tanya Thorpe, Shyree Shepeard (Fred), Jamie Warfield, Christopher Coursey (Jenaira), James Davis III, Russell Smith, Brandon Smith, Jimir Davis, Jimia Davis and Sydney Stewart and great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and his special pet dog Max.

James R. Davis Sr.

September 13, 1927 - October 18, 2020