Sylvester A. Davis

Sylvester Allen Davis, was born March 18, 1930 to the late James Allen and Pearl Mae Davis, in Lexington, Kentucky. He was called in to be with the Lord on August 2, 2023 at the age of 93.

Sylvester received his early education in Lexington and graduated in 1949 from The Dunbar High School, then a brand new building at Price and Chiles Avenue. While at Douglass he was recruited to sing bass in the school chorus, which he grew to enjoy. His most memorable role of “The King” in a musical offered him the opportunity to sing and act.

Sylvester or “Brother,” a common nickname, confessed his faith in Christ at an early age at Duncan Chapel AME Church, presently Duncan Chapel United Methodist Church, in Jimtown. As a member, he participated in the Methodist church conferences, served as a trustee, and worked with the financial committee. He sang in the choir with other talented singers including Shirley Edwards, who would later become his wife. His gift of tinkering and repairing things was helpful in aiding his younger brother, “Loge,” and other members in the physical repair and upkeep of the church structure. Sylvester attended church services as long as his health permitted. He then watched faithfully from home via livestream.

Sylvester was inducted into the US Army in 1951, during the Korean War. He dutifully served his country and was awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds he received in combat. Sylvester continued his service to the US government as a civilian electronics repairman after he was honorably discharged in 1960. During his 36 years of employment at the Bluegrass Army Depot Avon, he received numerous commendations and promotions: for product and workplace improvement suggestions, “devoted service” and “sustained superior performance.” His competence with electronics at Avon base led him to take months long job assignments for a few years at US installations in Europe. Sylvester retired from the Bluegrass Depot in 1988. After a brief period of rest, he was engaged by three private families as their handyman.

During his leisure time “Bulee,” as he was first called by his children, enjoyed receiving and learning to use new electronic services, phones, watches and especially his iPad. He listened to sermons, jazz and gospel music, and read the news everyday. He liked working puzzles, playing digital games and drawing. He also became a talker in his older age, at times he would talk on the phone for hours about past experiences at home and abroad, current events, sermons and his family. He also loved listening to his wife and children as they gathered on Sunday evenings to talk and tell stories and FaceTime those that were out of town.

Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Sylvia Lee Davis; a sister, Mary Louise Davis Warfield; and a brother, James Logan “Loge” Davis.

Sylvester leaves to celebrate his life, a loving and devoted family who provided for his care and comfort at home during his illness. His wife, Shirley “Pickie” Edwards Davis; six children, Sheila Ann “Tubby” Davis, Gary Allen Davis, Vincent Miles Davis, Sr., and Sherry LaMonte “Boo” Davis, all of Lexington, Kim Edward (Evelyn) Davis of Colorado Springs, CO and Tracye Lynn Davis of Nashville, TN; six grandchildren, Vincent Davis, Jr. and Cicely Davis Christopher of Lake Elsinore, CA, Doran “DJ” Davis, Jr. and Jarrod J. Davis of Lexington, Kim Ed Davis, Jr. and Taja D. Davis of Colorado Springs, CO; several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth (Louis) McDowell and Gertrude “Bonnie” (Maceo) Peeples; a brother-in-law, James (Gloria) Edwards, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Barbara J. Edwards, Delphia A. Edwards, and Sharron D. Edwards; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends.

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