Horace Brantley Davis, Sr.

Horace Davis, Sr., 93, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 2, 2026. He was born May 23, 1932, in Leechville, North Carolina, and was the son of Carl Davis, Sr., and Edith Clark.

Horace was the loving and devoted husband of Bernice Davis, formerly of London Bridge, Virginia, and father of five who led a life marked by hard work, integrity, kindness, and steadfastness. Never motivated by self-promotion, Horace allowed his strong work ethic and faithful character to define his reputation. Not long after marrying Bernice on March 1, 1952, he served honorably with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from January 29, 1953, to January 28, 1955. Although he chose not to pursue higher education, Horace became a self-taught and quick learner, widely admired for his intelligence, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and common-sense approach to tackling challenging projects throughout his career as an Industrial Boiler Mechanic. His professional pursuits mostly centered around the repair of boilers and air conditioning units while working at Ervin and Snow, Carpenter and Sons, and J. H. Miles where he demonstrated an unwavering dedication and mastery of a plethora of responsibilities. There wasn’t anything that Horace put his hands on that he couldn’t repair, build, or make better at work or around the house. He was a man of genuine humility, regularly greeting others with a warm smile and extending a helpful hand while radiating a friendly and caring demeanor toward those he encountered.

In his leisure time, Horace enjoyed watching an old western, tuning into a NASCAR race or a Washington Nationals ballgame, playing a spirited game of dominoes, or building things and tinkering around the house or garage. He also liked long road trips in the car with Bernice and their children (where he rarely stopped for breaks). Horace had a sweet tooth for goodies (excluding chocolate) and a passion and palette for seafood. He was fully content with simply gathering with family and friends around a table for a meal or just huddling together in the living room of their home. Horace didn’t have an innate desire to travel the world or chase after anything more than what God had already provided for him over his lifetime. His greatest pleasures came from having a strong faith in Jesus Christ and being loyally committed to his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and extended family.

A devoted follower of Christ, Horace found great solace in his church and the Bible, which he read multiple times from cover-to-cover beginning in his seventies. His unwavering love and deep affection for his family, Avalon Church of Christ, and community remains an enduring testament to his life. The legacy of Horace Davis will be forever preserved in the memories and hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know and love him and follow his exemplary example.

Horace was survived by his children, son, Brantley (Susan) Davis, daughter, Carmel (Ed) Million, son Darrell (Diana) Davis, and daughter, Anita (Gary) VanDerziel, as well as his grandchildren, Matthew Davis, Crystal (Mark) Matthews, Kristie (Daniel) Loonam, Douglas Austin, Jeny Davis, and Brittany (Joel) Jacobson. Also, his great-grandchildren, Jacob Reeves, Dustin (Samantha) Matthews, Elena (Robert) Young, Dean Weatherly, Irelyn Davis, Miya Jacobson, Noah Naas. Additionally, his great-great-grandchildren, Brantley Mercure, Bradley Matthews, Arabella Young, Nathan Matthews, Eleanor Matthews.

Horace is preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Davis, daughter, Cindy (Doug) Austin, and granddaughter, Carrie (Aric) Naas, as well as his parents, Carl Davis, Sr., and Edith Clark, and sister, Joyce (Tom) Spruill, and brothers, Winfred (Hope) Davis, and Carl (Jeanne) Davis, Jr.

A private service will be held for the immediate family at the gravesite to honor Horace Davis, Sr. at Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach, VA.

Memorial contributions/donations may be directed to Avalon Church of Christ, 844 Woodstock Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.