J. Brooks Davis MATTHEWS Obituary
J. Brooks Davis MATTHEWS – There is rejoicing in Heaven upon the homecoming of J. Brooks Davis of Matthews/Mint Hill. After only a brief 45-day battle with pancreatic cancer, he departed this world peacefully, embraced by his loving wife of 61 years, in the Harris Hospice Unit of Charlotte Presbyterian Hospital, at 10:55 p.m., June 24, 2012. Known as the epitome of a southern gentleman, this kind, soft-spoken man with an ever present sense of humor, the love of a good laugh, a never-ceasing optimistic view and a voice of reason, was a mentor to many, and a living testimony to everyone who knew him. A silent giver, who never sought recognition for his contributions, he often preferred to remain in the background. He was a man of his word and a hand shake was his bond. Born, June 1, 1932 and a lifelong resident of the Matthews/Mint Hill area, he was the founder and owner of Davis Steel & Iron, Inc. and SteelCo, Inc. in Matthews, NC. As a residential developer/builder he created and designed the beautiful subdivisions of Stilwell Place and Davis Trace, and constructed The Villas of Brooks Knoll at Davis Trace with the goal of enhancing the area by providing a family oriented community that he was pleased to call home. He served the Lord for 50 years at Mount Harmony Baptist Church in Matthews as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Building Campaign Director along with other various committees. For the past 10 years he has been an active member of Calvary Church and the Joy Sunday School Class (better known as the Arthur and Dorothy Smith Class) in Charlotte. He was proud to have served as a Lifetime Member of the Board of Trustees of Wingate University, as a Director of Trinity Bank (now Citizen South), and the 25th President of the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA), where he was instrumental in the writing of the first book of testing and safety standards for the handrail industry. While a member of the NOMMA Board of Directors, he contributed and assisted in the initiative to gain NOMMA support for the establishment of an Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. At the lively age of 75, his lifelong passion for auto racing was brought to fruition as he became the oldest driver for Arena Racing Indoors at the Cricket Arena; later becoming investor/co-owner. As Track Liaison, Arena Racing moved outdoors to the Concord Speedway, where he continued as a driver and owner of Davis Racing Team. Mr. Davis is survived by his wife & best friend, Jean Stilwell Davis, son, Richard B. Davis & wife, Dana Martin Davis, grandchildren: Weston, Corban, and Merrin Davis, godchildren: Anabelle and Sam Quarles, sisters: Doris Cunningham & husband Donald, and Carolyn Wilkes, brothers: Milton Beck Davis, J. Clifford Davis & wife Dorothy along with many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Predeceasing him in death; his father and mother, Henry Vann Davis, Sr. and Willie Mae Beck Davis, son Ronnie Allen Davis, brothers: Bobby, Henry, Vann, and Charles Davis, sisters; Nora Roy, Sarah Ellen Simpson, and Christine Alexander. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the kind and caring staff of Presbyterian Harris Hospice. Memorials may be made to: The Ronnie Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund, Caring Services, High Point NC at support@caringservices.org, Bethel Colony of Mercy, 1675 Bethel Colony Road, Lenoir, NC 28645, or The Calvary Life Center Building Fund, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Mr. Davis’ life will be memorialized on Friday, June 29, 2012, beginning with family visitation at 1:00 p.m. in the Rae Road Room of Calvary Church, Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, the funeral service in the sanctuary at 3:00 p.m., officiated by Dr. John Munro of Calvary Church and nephew, Rev. Timothy Conder, pastor of Emmaus Way, Durham, NC and followed by the internment at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery, 2817 Mt. Harmony Church Road, Matthews, NC 28105. McEwen Funeral Services of Mint Hill is serving the Davis Family. Pallbearers will be nephews: Keenan Conder, Doug Cunningham, Collin Grooms, Corey Grooms, Vann Simpson and friend/employee Brian Hartis. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Employees of Davis Steel & Iron Inc., SteelCo Inc., Calvary Church Joy Sunday School Class and Drivers of Arena Racing Outdoors.