Obituary of Rev. Joseph Harold Davis

Services for Reverend Joseph Harold Davis, 81, Tyler, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Saturday, January 30, at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, near New London with the Pastors Paul Clark, Don Britton, and Ronald Witcher officiating. Graveside services are scheduled for 3:00 pm, Saturday at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Mineola, under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Reverend Davis died Wednesday, January 27, 2010 in Tyler. He was born May 15, 1928 in Atmore, Alabama. He was saved and baptized by Emanuel Missionary Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida in 1944 at the age of 16. In 1946 he graduated from Pensacola High School. He was also licensed to preach that same year. On January 20, 1948 he married Frances Louise Russell of Golden, Texas and she stayed faithfully by his side for over 62 years. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Bethel Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Texas on October 1, 1950. He attended Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, Texas and graduated with a Master of Theology degree in 1962. He was later awarded his Doctor of Theology degree by Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary. Brother Davis pastored six churches during his more than 60 years of preaching the Gospel: Salem M. B. C. in Rusk, Texas from October 1950 to September 1953; Trinidad M. B. C. in Trinidad, Texas from September 1953 to July of 1957; Bethel Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas from July 1957 to May of 1960; Mt. Bethel M. B. C.- in Gary, Texas from May of 1960 to December 1962; Unity M. B. C. in Longview, Texas from December 1962 to February 1968; Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Overton, Texas from February 1968 to March 4, 2001 (33 years). Brother Davis served on the Faculty of Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, Texas from 1961 to 1993 when he retired after teaching Seminary students for 32 years. He served as clerk of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas from 1962 until 1991 (29 years). He served as the moderator of the M. B. A. of Texas messenger meeting from 1999 to 2000. He served as the moderator for the messenger meeting of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Association from 1974 to 1975. Survivors include his wife, Frances Davis, Tyler; a brother, Charles Davis, Lawndale, California; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Patsy Russell, Golden; and numerous nieces and nephews. Honorary Pallbearers will be Deacons and Ministers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Friday, Janaury 29.