John Davis

John Henry Davis, Jr. was born at Harlem Hospital in Manhattan, New York on August 30, 1944, to John Henry Davis, Sr. and Willie Mae Wade Davis. He attended public school in Manhattan and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and rose to the ranks of “Explorer Scout” and to

“Order of the Arrow,” which is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts. John joined the Civil Air Patrol and became a Flight Leader.

He attended Manhattan Community College for a year and worked for R. H. Macy’s in Manhattan. He was later employed by the United States Postal Service. He worked at both Macy’s and the US Post Office in Manhattan. While there, he joined the American Postal Workers Union and attended courses on labor-management. John became what is called a “Shop Steward” (representing employees who had grievances). Because of his experience, he became the coordinator for six postal offices representing employees with grievances and served in that position for 10 years. Later, he became the manager of a finance station and held that position until he retired in 1992.

John was a member of the Abyssinian Baptist Church when he met Linell Davis. They were married at Abyssinian by the late Dr. Calvin Butts.

After he retired on September 30, 1992, he and his family left New York and relocated to Temple, Texas. John united with the Corinth Missionary Baptist Church and was a dedicated member, where he was a deacon, a member of the finance committee, a member of the Men of Faith Ministry, a member of the transportation committee, and was recognized as one of the “Men of the Year”.

In August 1993, John was hired by the Temple Independent School District as a paraprofessional in the Special Education Department at the high school. He worked with the Black Students Association. He also became politically active and worked with City Councilman George English (assisting with his campaigns) and participated in some of the city committees. John was also a member of the Ebony Cultural Society. He one who loved the outdoors and had a lawn service.

He departed this life on February 7, 2026, at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Davis, Sr., and Willie Mae Davis; two sisters, Gwendolyn Mesbahi and Francis Davis; and one brother-in-law, A. Mesbahi.

He leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted wife, Linell Davis, of 52 years; two sons, Aaron J. H. Davis, Rev. Andrew C. Davis; three daughters, Maria A. Davis, Therese J. K. Davis, Min. Monica L. Davis; 6 grandchildren, Bilal, Adrian, Ariel, Adrienne, Azariah, Kamaria, and three great-grandchildren, Khole, Aria, and Nikko, and a host of other relatives and friends.