Samuel Robert Davis

Samuel Robert Davis was born on August 28, 1951, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, to Henry Kenneth Davis and Pauline Moore Davis. He was raised in Warren, Michigan, where he graduated from Fitzgerald High School. Sam went on to attend Mission University in Springfield, Missouri, earning a degree in Theology in 1976.

Sam met his first wife, Cindy Stewart, at Ryan Road Baptist Church in Warren, Michigan. They were married on August 5, 1973, with Pastor Bruce Melton officiating. Sam began his ministry while still in college, serving his home church during summer breaks. After graduation, he was hired as Young Adult Pastor.

In 1977, when Pastor Melton was called to serve as Lead Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Huntington Beach, California, he invited Sam to join him as Youth Director. Sam and Cindy relocated to California while expecting their first child, Bryan Paul Davis, who was born on August 15, 1977.

In 1980, feeling called to lead his own congregation, Sam and his family returned to Michigan, where he founded Metropolitan Baptist Church in Mount Clemens. Soon after, Pastor Melton again asked Sam to return to Central Baptist Church, this time as Executive Pastor. Sam and his family returned to California while expecting their second child, Cristyn Joy Davis, born on October 8, 1981. Their third child, Blake Jonathan Davis, was born on December 22, 1983. One of Sam’s fondest family memories was bringing Blake home on Christmas Eve in a large red stocking.

Following his years in full-time ministry, Sam pursued additional careers in the insurance industry and later served as a General Manager for one of the largest automobile dealership groups in Southern California.

Later in life, Sam met Christella Williams at an open mic event. They shared 12 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and travel, visiting destinations such as Spain, Mexico, and favorite Southern California beach resorts. Tuesdays spent in downtown Huntington Beach were especially cherished. Known for his vibrant personality, Sam loved bold colors, style, and maintaining a year-round tan—he lived unapologetically and joyfully.

Together, Sam and Christella became devoted pet parents to three chihuahuas—Dude, Einstein, and Chicklet—often traveling with them in their beloved dog stroller. They were fondly known as the couple whose arrival, dogs included, never went unnoticed.

The final four years of Sam’s life were among his most fulfilling. He returned to his greatest passion—ministry—serving as Pastor at Huntington Beach Church and The Garage. Sam had a deep love for people and an unwavering heart for the Lord. He found great joy in fulfilling his final wish: to minister once again, sharing faith, hope, and encouragement with people from all walks of life.

Sam never met a stranger. He was a natural jokester, deeply personable, and sincerely compassionate. He shared his faith with ease and had a remarkable gift for encouraging those who were hurting, always seeming to find the right words at the right time.

An avid sports enthusiast, Sam played football in high school as a punter, participated in recreational hockey and basketball, and played baseball in college. He proudly taught all his children to bat left-handed, believing it gave them an edge—a belief that proved true. All three children earned college athletic scholarships, and his son Blake was later drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.

Sam will be remembered as personable, funny, charming, and bold.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Henry Kenneth and Carol Davis of Naples, Florida; his children and grandchildren: Bryan Paul and Jessica Davis, and their sons Landon Cooper, Parker William, and Chase Henry; Cristyn Joy and Dustin Aguilar, and their children Ava Joy and Maddox Anthony; Blake Jonathan and Rayanne Davis, and their sons Calvin Ray and Nash Camden; his beloved wife, Christella Davis; and his cherished dogs, Dude, Einstein, and Chicklet.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Kenneth Davis and Pauline Moore Davis, formerly of Warren, Michigan and Rutherfordton, North Carolina.