Charles Edward Davis, Sr.

Our beloved Charles Edward Davis, Sr. arrived in this world on January 14, 1941, as the fifth gift from the Lord to the union of Arthur Alfred Davis Sr. and Martha Mills Davis. He accepted Christ at an early age at First Baptist Church of Richmond Park in Baton Rouge, LA. Being one of eight children, their family home was a place where faith and values were nurtured. His parents instilled in all of them the principles of faith, love, and respect and that influence remained with him throughout his life.

He loved his family! He was a loving child and always liked to be in his mother's presence asking all sorts of questions and was very curious about the world. He loved fishing and spent many hours fishing with his father. He enjoyed playing football in the street and shooting hoops in the backyard with his siblings.

After completing High School at Capital Senior High,1959, he went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University in Business Administration. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served actively in the Vietnam War as a military policeman. Prior to his honorable discharge, he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with a (pistol 45 Marksman) and he also received a Good Conduct Medal 1st Award. He was also an expert in Rifle M-14.

In 1967 Charles married the love of his life Joyce Elaine Oby. Their story began when she saw a picture of him that his sister Gloria Jean shared with her one day when dropping little Valerie Jean off from school. After one look at that picture Joyce Elaine declared that she would marry that man! They married in Los Angeles, CA, and went on to have four children.

Charles taught school for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 35 years. During his tenure, he obtained his master's degree in School Administration from Pepperdine University. He taught Junior High School students math and science. His students loved and respected him, as shown by the many gifts and notes that they bestowed upon him throughout his career. Charles spent many years taking his sixth-grade students to Yosemite National Park where he, along with his coworkers, taught the students all about nature, camping and fishing. At one time, his co-workers nick-named him Mr. Yosemite Man! He had an exceptional relationship with his coworkers, where he received respect and gave respect to all that he worked with.

Charles volunteered as a financial officer at St. Anselm Catholic Church of Los Angeles for many years, where he was an active member. He was also a part of the men’s choir and the parish church council. He remained a faithful lifetime member of his home church in Baton Rouge.

He loved to BBQ and grow tomatoes, and he would share them with his sister-in-law, Yvonne. Charles enjoyed taking long road trips with his family to San Francisco, Louisiana, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and Nevada. He and Joyce hosted legendary parties that would bring family, friends, and neighbors of 80th street together for great times.

During their retirement years, Charles and Joyce then moved to Wylie, TX near Dallas, TX. They enjoyed traveling to places like Alaska, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera and St. Thomas. Charles was a sports fanatic who loved watching all types of sports, especially boxing, college football, the Lakers, the Raiders, and the Dodgers. He really enjoyed listening to various types of music, gardening in his yard, sitting on his patio and enjoying nature. He was an excellent cook! Some of his specialties were his famous chili which he made for every Super Bowl, his famous spaghetti, and his sweet potato pone that he made every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everyone looked forward to enjoying his delicious gravy, his grandson Dejon often stood by his side in the kitchen and has now mastered his recipe.

Charles Davis was extremely patient, firm and reserved, yet his words carried great meaning.

Charles leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife, Joyce Oby Davis; daughters, Carla Davis Johnson (Billy), Deborah Davis Moore (Christopher), and Crystal Alicia Davis; son, Charles Edward Davis, Jr.; grandsons, Dejon Hogan and James Johnson; granddaughter, Kristin Moore; brother, Arthur A. Davis, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Emily G. Davis, Linda Davis, and Pearline D. Davis; brother-in-law, Rev. Curtis L. Willis, Sr.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Charles is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur A. Davis, Sr. and Martha M. Davis; brothers, Lawrence L. Davis, Harold L. Davis, and Rev. William Davis, Sr.; sisters, Betty L. Willis, Gloria J. Gray, and Cornelia E. Mason; brothers-in-law, Tom Gray, Jr. and Angus Oby, Sr.; and sisters-in-law, Anna Bell Davis and Yvonne R. Oby.

Services will be held Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00am at First Baptist Church of Richmond Park, 3115 Newton St., Baton Rouge, LA, with visitation from 9:00am to11:00am. Interment will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park.