Obituary of Ashby Davis

Obituary 

To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).

A Time To Be Born
Ashby was born in Sumter, South Carolina on February 7, 1935 to Ashby Davis Sr. and Sallie Miller.

A Time To Learn
Ashby was educated in the South Carolina Public School system and graduated from Lincoln High School in Sumter, South Carolina, Class of 1956. 

A Time To Work
Ashby worked at the Jersey City Board of Education for several years. He relocated to Camden, New Jersey and worked for the Mt. Laurel Board of Education as Head Custodian for 25 years until he retired in 2000. 

A Time To Serve
Ashby served our country in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge. 

A Time To Worship
Ashby’s relationship with the Lord began in 1985 when he was baptized. He joined Trinity Temple Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Newark, NJ where he served as a Deacon, member of the Singles Ministry, and sang in multiple choirs. Upon relocating to South Jersey, he transferred his membership to Mt. Olivet Seventh Day Adventist Church in Camden, New Jersey and served as the Director of the male choirs, member of the Senior Choir, 50 Plus Club, and Pathfinder Scout Sponsor. He moved to Sumter 
SC and frequent Sumter SC Berean SDA Church, Bethany Baptist Church until May of this year, when his health began to fail him.

A Time To Die
The Lord called Ashby home on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents Ashby Davis Sr. and Sallie Miller, daughter; Joyce Baker, son; Michael Cheatham, sisters; Barbara Jackson and Shirley Phillips, brother; Clayton Campbell; and grandmother, Hettie Gathers.  He leaves to cherish his memories, Three Daughters: Sabrena Harrison (Anthony) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Rosalind Brayboy (Hezekiah) of Bayonne, New Jersey, Demetria Reed of Baltimore, Maryland; One Son: Vernon Davis of Sumter, South Carolina, and One Adopted Daughter: Nyzia Easterling 
(Antonio) of Camden New Jersey; Six Grandchildren and Thirteen Great Grandchildren; Four Sisters: Louise Miller of Sumter, South Carolina, Geraldine Allen of Las Vegas, Nevada, Wilma Burch (Henry) of Jersey City, New Jersey, Aleshia Miller, of Spring Hill, Florida and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends who will miss him.

A Time To Reflect
Ashby was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and a friend to many. He was a kind, caring, and loving person who gave of himself freely and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He loved spending time with his family and going to Myrtle Beach. Ashby was a diehard Cowboys fan and his favorite past time was watching sports on T.V. His favorite team was Expo Explosion. If you wanted to find him on Saturday/Sunday after 3:00 p.m. wherever they were that’s where you would Find Ashby. 

Ashby had a passion for sports for many years. He recalls his most fond memories of playing football at Lincoln High School and baseball with the Sumter White Sox. He was recruited out of high school to play minor league baseball (3rd baseman and shortstop) for the Sumter White Sox at Riley Ball Park under the management of Propt Conyers. 

On November 15, 2016, Ashby put on his eternal wings and entered into the presence of the Lord forever.  Although our hearts are saddened to see him go, we can all rest in knowing that Ashby will always be in the hearts of those he came in contact with and those he left behind. He can now rest from his labor of love and enter into God’s rest. Ashby has endured afflictions but the Lord stood with him and strengthened him, preserved him unto his heavenly kingdom to who be glory and honor forever and ever, Amen.