Mr. Thomas Edward Davis

Home going Celebration of Thomas E. Davis: "To everything there is a season, reason and a time under the heavens!" A Time to be born: Thomas Edward Davis referred to by his friends and loved ones as Dave, was born on September 20, 1927. Dave was born the eighth child and the youngest boy to the late Andrew and Laurabelle Davis in Selma, Alabama. He was educated in the Selma Public Schools system and graduated from Knox Academy with his high school diploma. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served a full four-year term and was honorably discharged. A Time to Build After being discharged from the military, Dave settled in Chicago, Illinois. There he found love and married Lillie Bell Lee. To this union, two children were born, Lyvoan and Joann. He also adopted Ben "Earl" Israel, a homeless teenager that he met in his Chicago neighborhood. Tragically Lillie Bell lost a bout with tuberculosis and passed in May of 1952. Thomas now left to raise his two daughters, relocated to Detroit; the "Motor City" was booming economically at the time. With the help of a white man, while still in Chicago, Thomas purchased a home in Detroit on Monte Vista Street. Dave arrived to Detroit and found that he was the first black man to purchase a home on the west side of what is known as "The Wall", which still exists between the property lines of homes on Mendota and Birwood Street near 8 Mile Road. Dave would share stories of how once he moved on Monte Vista, "For Sale signs went up all over the northwest side of Detroit." After some time, Dave again found love a married Minnie Kathryn Glenn in January of 1958. He and Kathryn raised both girls and were happily married for nearly forty years. Thomas gave his life to Christ at a very early age as a member of the New Bride Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama. His commitment to Christ remained and after moving to Detroit, joined New Providence Missionary Baptist Church. At New Providence, he was a dedicated member and was ordained as a Deacon in 1977. Dave was also a member of the Male Chorus and the Senior Usher Board. For many years, he would pick up Deacon Allen, who opened the church and would take his family to dinner with Deacon Kellum, the trustee that locked the church and put the church money in the bank. He remained at New Providence until his health failed him and he could no longer attend. A Time to Rejoice Dave was a simple man!!!! He worked his entire career in the automotive industry and retired from General Motors after working there almost forty years. He was a dedicated member of the UAW and enjoyed union outings like trips to Black Lake, Ml with his fellow union members. Dave loved all sports but especially baseball. He could tell you the winner of most events and was almost never wrong! He was a man of few words but missed nothing and had a hilarious sense of humor. As the patriarch of the family, his few words were strong and you knew once he'd spoken, it was over! He loved his home and maintained his landscape like that of a golf course. But he loved his family more and if he said no to anything, it was because you had worn out your yeses! He was always the voice of reason and told you what was right no matter what! Most of all he loved his wife Kathryn. They traveled the world together and enjoyed attending the Annual National Baptist Conventions with the Russell Street Baptist Church family. Together, they were inseparable and valued good times with family and friends. On holidays, everyone was welcome in their home and if you dropped by (even unannounced) on Christmas, you got a gift. They were the epitome of what real unconditional love is. Accordingly, when Kathryn preceded him in death in 1994, he was never the same. A Time for Death On Saturday, March 1, 2014, Thomas Edward Davis, after years of failing health was called home to be with God. We all knew he had grown tired and was ready to go, for quite some time.

Mr. Thomas Edward Davis

September 20, 1927 - March 1, 2014