EARNEST DAVIS was born on May 20, 1940 to the union of Ineice Davis, Sr. and Myrtle O. Cooper Davis in Waskom, Texas. He was the fourth of eight children. His family were members of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. At the age of six, Earnest and his family relocated to Dallas, Texas where they united with Mount Nebo Baptist ChEarnest graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1958. During that same year, his beautiful daughter, Maria Rendon, was born. He matriculated at Texas College in Tyler on a track scholarship. In 1963, Earnest married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Lyles, and the couple was blessed with two sons, Darrin DeShun and Reginald Vaughn.
Earnest developed a passion for the sport of golf at an early age. He was twelve years old when his mother gifted him with his first set of golf clubs. He immediately began to caddie, walking from West Dallas to Stephens Park and Oak Cliff Country Club learning the game and making money!
Earnest was quick with words. He loved to dress, play golf (average 18 hole day 67), listen to “the blues”, go bowling and entertain. Earnest always had a day job; however, he was especially successful as an entrepreneur. He owned several businesses, Earnest Place, the well-known Classy Club and his last club, ED’s Place. He and best friend, Robert “Deermeat” Mims, owned the first black pawnshop in East Dallas. His love for “the blues” inspired Earnest to promote blues singers, such as R. L. Griffin at Blues Place, Vernon Garrett and Little Joe Blue.
In 1993, Earnest returned to Marshall, Texas where he resided for twenty years and became a member of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. He served on the Hospitality Ministry under Rev. James E. Webb. In 2010, Earnest retired from Hallsville Independent School District after being employed there for fourteen years. He returned to Dallas in 2015.
When Earnest met Demetrius Lavette Ingram in 1987 at an “end of school” celebration, little did he know that she would become his bride in 2004. Earnest and Demetrius shared a beautiful life together, loving and embracing their blended family with four children. Earnest joined Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in 2016 under the leadership of Pastor Curtis W. Wallace. Each Sunday, Earnest would say “I have to go shake my Pastor’s hand so we can tell each other how sharp we look today”.
Earnest is preceded in death by his parents, Ineice and Myrtle Davis, Sr.
Earnest leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Demetrius Ingram-Davis; four children, Maria, Darrin, Reginald (Melissa) and DeRoderick; 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; seven siblings, Jean Moore, Willa Bea Beck, Elma Mayberry, Myrtis Lacey, Ineice Davis, Jr., Maudine (Calvin) Pembleton and Robert Davis; one adopted sister, Ernestine Rice; mother-in-law, Marie E. Ingram; three sisters-in-law, Sabrina D. Ingram, Elana S. Ingram and Johnetta L. Ingram; one brother-in-law, Darren M. (NaTonya) Ingram; best friend and traveling partner Cassandra (Louie) Lindsey; classmates and best friends, R. G. Henderson and Clarence Mayberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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