Elijah Davis

Elijah Davis, Dad, was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on March 1, 1939, to the late Samuel and Carrie Peoples Davis. He passed away on June 10, 2024, at the Hospice of Piedmont in Hight Point, North Carolina. He was a member of the Apostolic Faith Church. Not long after Dad was born, the family moved to Florence, South Carolina. While growing up in Florence, Dad helped out around the house, learned to work on cars, cook, and play the drums. He played the drums in the church choir and would often accompany his mother to nearby towns to attend church services. Dad was the last of his siblings to leave home. He went to school during the day, worked at a hospital at night, and managed to take care of his elderly parents. He attended Wilson Junior High School where he also ran track. Dad’s mother would not allow him to play football because his older brother was hurt while playing. He did, however, play sandlot football with his friends. Dad said he enjoyed his childhood…he said it was fun, that he missed it, and sometimes wished he could go back…

In 1957, while working at the hospital in Florence, Dad’s sister Bettie introduced Dad to a patient - a beautiful young lady named Bobbi Ann. It took a while for the young lady to agree to a date with him...Dad in his own words: "I had to ask Barbara three times before she would go out with me – and we went on from there." Mom and Dad were married in New York on November 23, 1961. They lived in New York for a while before deciding to move to Greensboro. Along the way they had 6 children: Greg, Randell, Lisha, Trish, Gary, and Tracey. They were married for 62 years. Through ups and downs - they stayed together. Mom was the love of his life.

Dad’s first job when he moved to Greensboro was working at a hospital earning $25 per week. He said it was one of the best paying jobs at that time. Dad also worked for Triton Water company as a delivery truck driver, traveling as far south as Florida. Dad worked several jobs before retiring from K-mart Distribution Center in 2006 at the age of 67.

Daddy loved cars. He bought his first one, a black Chevrolet, in 1955 when he was 15 years old. His second car was a blue and black two-tone Buick -- Dad said they called it a “Two-Door-Hard-Top.” He continued to buy and trade cars throughout his life. Dad’s cars were his pride and joy. He enjoyed spending time fixing them, cleaning them, and driving around town showing them off. In 2019, at the age of 80, Dad purchased his last car, a black 2013 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ.

Dad loved to travel. He loved the open road. Something about driving always made Dad happy. He traveled with his sister Emma to churches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, DC, New York, and Houston, Texas. Dad and Aunt Emma were visiting their brother Milbert and his wife Ella in Seattle, Washington, when the World Trade Center buildings were attacked by Terrorist on 9/11. Their flight was cancelled, and it would be a week before they could return home to Greensboro. It was a scary time to fly, but they were able to return home safely to their loved ones. Dad would continue to travel well into his late 70s, when his health prevented him from doing so.

Our Dad was a good man, not a perfect man, but a really good man. He was quiet and soft-spoken, funny and thoughtful. Dad did not have a lot to say, but when he did speak, his sense of humor would shine through. Even when Dad was not feeling his best, he would find a way to share a laugh with his baby girl. Dad’s kindness and thoughtfulness, especially with the love of his life whom he affectionately called “Barbara Ann,” will be missed by his family and all those who knew and loved him.

Dad was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Trish in 2019; his first granddaughter, Tiffany; brothers: Willie, Earnest, Milbert, Jessie, Isaac (twin) and Joseph (twin); sisters: Ruby, Rebekah (twin), Bettie Lee, Mary (twin), and Sarah; mother-in-law, Bertha Nesmith; brothers-in-law, General Lee and Morris Nesmith; sister-in-law, Retha Mae Nesmith; daughter-in-law, Clara; several nieces and nephews; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

In addition to his wife, those left to cherish his memories are his last surviving sibling and dearest sister, Emma Jane (Carnell, deceased) Marcus of the home; his last remaining sister-in-law, Ella Davis of Seattle, Washington; his son and faithful caregiver for the last 7 years, Greg (Audrey), Fella (Gail), Randell, Lisha, Gary, and Tracey (Allan); Grandchildren: Josh, Brandon, Krystal, Monta, Kayla, Janae, Brittany, Danielle, Tyler, Orin, Miranda, Chelsey, Tiffany, Miles, Candace, Alexis, Krystal B, Chelsea, Emely, Osude Jr, D’Angelo, Tonae-jah, Tysha, Star, Jayja, Jace; great grandchildren: Camara, Ethan, Bella, Phoenix, Gabrielle, Champ, Jaiden, Kamden, Braxton, Kaliey, Armani, Aniya, Supreme; two great grandsons on the way; several nieces and nephews and a whole host of family and friends

The family would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff of the Hospice of Piedmont in High Point, North Carolina, for the care rendered to Dad during his time in hospice care. Their exceptional care was a comfort at a difficult time.

We are most grateful for the gift of friends like you, who have been so kind and thoughtful during these hours of sorrow. Your prayers, visits, calls, flowers and every act of kindness, have given us strength and inspiration for the facing of this hour. May God bless each of you.