Rev.Dr.Walter Davis

Walter Edward Davis was born May 20, 1938 to the union of the late Deacon Leroy and Fannie Watts Davis. The union was also blessed with two other sons, Willie Roy Davis and John D. Davis.

Davis accepted the Lord as his personal Savior in 1948 under the Pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. W.M. Watson. He symbolized his dedication by baptism at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. He was a product of the Greenville County School system and a graduate of Sterling High School in 1956. After graduation, he moved to New York to start his career and while there he met the love of his life, Lizzie Yeargin – Davis. Soon after, Davis was drafted into military service by the U.S. Army, and was honorablydischarged in 1966.

He and Lizzie were married on January 13, 1963 and to this union two sons were born, Walter Leroy Davis and Charles Edward Davis. While living in NYC Davis received his calling to the ministry. Upon completing military service to his country, he was asked to become Pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church in April of 1969. He spent more than 36 great years leading and growing the congregation until his retirement in 2005. While pastoring Davis enrolled as a fulltime student at Morris College where he graduated second in his class. Davis also attended Morris College School of Religion. Additionally, Davis was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Morris College – Sumter, SC. and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree from Selma University, Selma AL.

Davis led a full and accomplished life - he served on numerous Boards and Commissions and received many awards. He served on the Economic Development Committee, for special projects in the City of Greenville. He served as a Chair of St. Anthony’s Catholic School Board of Directors. He also served on the United Ministries Board, and The Greenville Urban League’s Housing Taskforce. He was given a key to the city by Mayor William Workman.

He was appointed by Gov. Richard Riley to the Legislative Committee to study the problems of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the State of South Carolina for two terms. Davis was honored to pray at Governor Riley’s Inauguration in January 1979 and was also invited by the Governor to pray at the lighting of the State Christmas tree in 1980. For his dedicated service to the state, Governor Riley awarded Davis the Order of the Palmetto in 1985. This is the State of South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, making Davis a Palmetto Gentleman.

Davis was past moderator of the Reedy River Baptist Association. He also served as a former faculty member of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Workers, an auxiliary to the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. He was a Director and Instructor of the Old and New Testament of Theology and Church Administration at Morris College School of Religion Extension (Clemson campus) where he taught and mentored many accomplished Pastors.

Davis was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and a member of Whitehorse Lodge #200 Prince Hall Masons (where he was a Master Mason).

He is survived by his loving wife Mrs. Lizzie Yeargin-Davis; and two sons Walter (Martina) Davis of Charlotte, NC and Charles (Keonte) Davis of Greenville SC; three grandchildren Harper Marielle Davis, Margaux Alexis Davis and Charlie Marie Davis; two brothers Rev. Dr. Willie Roy (Johnnie Mae) Davis and John D (Teresa) Davis; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of family and friends.