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2018 SESSION

18107470D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 434
Offered March 1, 2018
Celebrating the life of Apostle Willie Davis, Jr.
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Patron-- Marshall
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WHEREAS, Apostle Willie Davis, Jr., a beloved husband and father, active Henry County resident, and respected church leader who offered spiritual guidance to countless people, died on December 31, 2017; and

WHEREAS, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Apostle Davis was taken in by minister Archie Brown and his wife, Mildred, as an infant and raised in a religious household in Bassett; and

WHEREAS, Apostle Davis kept a strong commitment to education during his career, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in theology, master’s degrees in theology and Christian counseling, and several divinity doctorates; and

WHEREAS, Apostle Davis began his ministry in the 1970s and later served as an assistant pastor at the Waterway Temple Church in Bassett and as lead pastor at churches in Collinsville, Martinsville, Floyd, Danville, and the Carolinas; he served in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ for 23 years and in the United Way of the Cross Church of Christ for 21 years; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, Apostle Davis founded the Refuge Fundamental Church in Danville, where he served as pastor until his death; he also served as a lead founder, Presiding Prelate, and Chief Apostle of the District Fellowship of Independent Churches; and

WHEREAS, a man of deep conviction, Apostle Davis inspired numerous congregants as pastor of Refuge Fundamental Church and gave back to the community by founding a food pantry and ministries that donated clothing, school supplies, and Christmas gifts to families in need; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his pastoring duties, Apostle Davis was an active member of the community who served as Dan River District Governor for Ruritan and as a past president of North Carolina Theological University’s Danville site; he was also a frequent election volunteer in Henry County and served as vice chair of the Henry County Republican Committee; and

WHEREAS, Apostle Davis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Mary; his children, Ginger, Michael, and Jonathan, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and church members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Apostle Willie Davis, Jr., a dedicated spiritual counselor and community leader; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Apostle Willie Davis, Jr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.