REV. DR. JAMES DAVIS

The funeral service will be live streamed at:

https://www.sjcfamily.org/online-services/

Reflections of Life Well Lived

Rev. Dr.. James L. Davis Sr.

Rev. Dr. James Lyonel Davis Sr. was born in Taylor, Texas, to the parents of Deacon Henry P. Davis, Sr (Carpenter) & Mrs. Irene B. Davis (School Teacher). He also grew up with his older brother Dr. Rev. Henry P. Davis Jr. He attended O.L. Price High School, Austin Tx. from the First through the Ninth Grade, and then Anderson High School, Austin, Tx. from the Tenth Grade through graduation in 1953. A few months after Graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air force in 1954. Served six years, with three of those years overseas at Chaumont Air Force Base, France. Where he also understood and spoke French and German. He continued serving his country with five years in the Air Force Reserve where he was a Staff Sargent Personnel Specialist and Finance Specialist until his honorable discharge in 1965.

In 1958, James L. Davis met “The apple of his eye, the peaches of his pie, the coffee of his cream and the girl of his dreams”, Effie Doris Williams. He asked her to marry him and they wed on July 31st, 1960. While still in college, James Davis made the promise to his lovely wife “...if you will trust and support me as I follow the Lord, you will soon not have to work another day in your life.” A man of his word, He lived up to that promise.

James L. Davis Sr. attended Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Tx. Where he completed all requirements and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering in May of 1965. Upon graduation his initial employment out of college was with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Fort Worth, Tx. as a Project Planner and Production Representative. He was the first African American in that HUD office. He performed coordination and development of Public Housing Projects for families and elderly persons.

After designing buildings for over two tears as an Architect, the Lord called him to then design souls for the Kingdom as a Minister. He was called to the ministry and licensed to preach in July of 1967 at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Ft. Worth, Tx. Then officially ordained as a minister in October of 1970. The Lord lead Rev. Dr. James L. Davis to his first Pastoral opportunity in the Kansas City area at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Merriam, Kansas. He served as shepherd leader from 1972-1975. With the Lord’s guidance and direction, the congregation was able to build a debt free brand-new church edifice worth over $200,000.

The Lord then saw fit for Pastor James Davis to accept the call to Pastor the United Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City Mo. During his (11) eleven plus years as the Pastoral Leader, the church was blessed through the Lord Spiritually, Numerically, and Financially. The congregation purchased a new church structure, a parsonage and a new church van. The Lord’s blessings continued as the congregation was able to also purchase a third of the block across the street for parking. All property was paid for in less than five years with an overall property value of $450,000.

Leading to the receipt of his Doctoral Degree James L. Davis attended the Southwest Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas and officially received his Doctorate degree from the Elbon Solutions College of Ministry. One of Rev. Dr. James Davis mottos was “All needs of God’s people shall be met through Teaching, Preaching, and Reaching under the Anointing of the Holy Spirit.”.

In January of 1986 the Lord lead Rev. Dr.  J.L. Davis to Co-Found with his wife, Effie Doris Davis, the Faith Christian Center Church in Austin Tx. The first service was initially held from house to house, with the first official Bible Study meeting on January 3rd, 1986 where 20 people attended. As in the past churches under his leadership, the Lord continued blessing and growing Faith Christian Center Church (FCC) to the point that in November 1987, the FCC Church family were given the keys to their official church building in Austin, Texas located on Manor Rd. The Lord continued to bless and grow the FCC Church ministry through the 16 plus years of Rev. Dr. Davis’ leadership through the power of the Lord. Upon retirement from full time Pastoring Dr. Davis and wife moved to the DFW area near their children, James Davis Jr. and Elizabeth Davis Frizell.

Dr. Davis & his wife purchased a home in Dallas, Texas and were introduced to the St. John Unleashed Church in Grand Prairie/Southlake Tx, by his son and daughter. As a retired Pastor Rev. Dr. Davis willingly stepped right in at St. John Unleashed as an Associate Minister under Dr. Denny D. Davis, and continued his passion for over 44 years as a minister and over 41 years as a Pastor by serving in multiple capacities and leading people to Christ. He was also an active leader and influencer throughout the church including the Marriage Ministry, Prison Ministry, and Senior Saints.

Rev. Dr. James L. Davis Sr. is well versed in the Lords word and was blessed with an incredible mind and memory that allowed him to retain by memory, entire chapters of the bible, 100s of verses, and multiple unique phrases and sayings. Until his transition with our Father in Heaven, he knew by memory all 46 Presidents, Numerous poems such as “IF” (by Rudyard Kipling), and the U.S. Preamble to the Constitution just to name a few.

Ultimately the most important character trait and/or attribute he should be remembered by is his deep Christian Faith, Values, and trust in the Lord. He was not only a Christian and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ but strived every day to Empower, Enrich, Improve, and Positively Influence everyone he encountered. He always ensured others felt good about themselves by leaving them with a prayer of Healing, Hope, Peace, and the Salvation of the Lord. He wanted them to feel Better, Be Better and Do Better after interacting with him and the Jesus within him.

Rev. Dr. James L. Davis Sr was called home and transitioned to be with the Father in the Celestial Shores on the morning of April 10th, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry P. Davis Sr. & Irene Davis, his eldest sister Ruby Davis (passed away as an infant), and his eldest brother Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis Jr.

He’s survived by his wife of 60 plus years Effie Doris Davis, his Son James Davis Jr and wife Shari Love-Davis, his Daughter Elizabeth Davis-Frizell and Husband Marvin Frizell, grand children Taylore B. Davis, Morgan L. Davis, Karese Frizell, and Elijah Frizell. Also survived by a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and Grandchildren.

Until we meet again “To God Be the Glory from which all blessings flow”. I look forward to seeing you again in the air.