Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Rev. Robert K. Davis, Sr., 80 of Institute, WV departed this life on July 18, 2024, peacefully at home with his family.

Born on April 2, 1944, in Westerly, WV, to the late Uylsses Davis and the late Mary LaVerne Berry. He was the 3rd born of 8 children (Shirley, Jackie, Raymond, Lee, Beverly, Gwen, Nadine). Robert attended schools in Alderson, and Charleston.

In 1962, Robert was the only African American student to graduate from Alderson High School.

Robert worked in several different jobs (i.e. Butcher, Chauffeur, Bank Messenger, Mechanic) trying to find his calling. In 1965, he was drafted in the United States Army for 2 years. After returning from Vietnam, Robert got married to the late Lillian Brady and had two children, Stephanie, and Robert, Jr. He was then hired by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier and retired after 29 years of service. In addition, he started his own business as a General Contractor and worked up until the age of 78.

Robert got saved in 1969 and was ordained a deacon in 1972 at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. He continued the work of the Lord as a member of various choirs, and the Sunday School Superintendent. He then moved his membership to Mt. Zion Baptist Church and became a member of the Evangelistic Team. Finally, he got called to preach in 1981.

Rev. Davis was installed as the Pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in August 1986. After studying theology for a few years, he graduated as the 1st African American student from the Teays Valley Baptist College in 1987. He held many leadership roles in the following Organizations: Vice- President, 1st Vice- President, and Evangelistic Coordinator of the Charleston Black Ministerial Alliance; Moderator of the Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Association, and President of the Minster’s and Deacon’s Union of Mt. Olivet Missionary Baptist Association. Rev. Davis served on the Steering Committee for the Billy Graham Crusade and the “March for Jesus” Crusade. His evangelism was not limited to WV. In 2006 he went to Africa and assisted in training 70 pastors in Entebbe and 33 Pastors and Leaders in Jinja. Rev. Davis also traveled to New Orleans to help with the clean-up after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008, he and Rev. Shelly Bausley traveled to Jamaica on a mission trip where they preached in several churches and led 74 souls to the Lord.

After the passing of his first wife, Rev. Davis married Adeline Easley. He retired from the Pastorship of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 2013, and then joined the Pilgrim Home Family. He was installed as Pastor Emeritus of Pilgrim Home Missionary Baptist Church in 2015.

Rev. Davis was preceded in death by his parents, Ulysses Davis, Mary Berry; stepfather, Ernest Berry; first wife, Lillian E. Davis; brothers, Ulysses Davis, Jr., (Junior), Billy Gene Davis and Jackie Davis, sisters, Beverly Smith-Berry and Gwen Berry and special aunt, Rebecca Brooks.

Family members left to cherish his memory include his wife, Adeline “Peaches” Davis; daughter, Stephanie Terry (Patrick); son, Robert K. Davis, Jr.; step-daughter, Erska Easley-Robinson, step-sons, Adolphus “Tony” Cooper and Clarence (Debra) Easley; special adopted daughters, Carmen Hankins Parrish, Sonya Anderson, Chrishlen Spence, and Suzette Smalls; grandchildren, Robyn Davis, Niki Davis, Jordan Terry, Jada Terry, Oksana Robinson, JaRea Cooper, Sophia Triplett, Martec Washington, and Monique Carter, brothers, Raymond Davis (Francine) and Lee Berry; sisters, Shirley Willis (Paul) and Nadine Berry, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Rev. Davis always held firm that he was, “one born-again believer who loves preaching the gospel and seeing people transformed into the newness of Christ and living for Him.” He will be sadly missed by all that knew him.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Maranatha Fellowship Church, 2910 Kanawha Terrace, St. Albans, WV with Rev. Shelly Bausley and Rev. Ron Thaxton officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Park, Dunbar, WV.

Friends may visit with the family two hours prior.

In lieu of flowers, the Davis family kindly requests donations be made to the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church 7015 MacCorkle Ave. St. Albans, WV 25177, in Rev. Davis’ honor, where he was the Pastor Emeritus.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.