Davis, Alonza “Joe” Joseph, Sr.

Alonza Joseph Davis, Sr., 86, of Lancaster, VA, passed away November 4, 2016, at St Mary’s Hospital, Richmond, VA, with his family nearby.

“Joe” Davis was born July 1, 1930, in Baltimore, MD, the son of Wilbur Harris and Virginia King Davis. He grew up in the greater Baltimore area but spent much of his youth in Ottoman, VA. He married Sylvia McNeal on March 12, 1954, at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Tappahannock, VA.

Joe was a member of US Army, 304th Signal Corp and a veteran of the Korean War. He entered the Army on August 26, 1948, where he served 14 months in Japan and 14 months in Korea. In May 2016, Joe was honored in the Kilmarnock’s Hometown Hero program celebrating the military service of the men and women in our community.

Joe worked as a telephone lineman and waterman, in the early 1950’s in Lancaster, VA. In 1956, he moved the family to Baltimore, MD, where he worked for Western Electric until 1972. Then in 1972, during Hurricane Agnes, Joe and the family moved back to Lancaster where he started his own company, Davis Electric. Joe retired in 1995 and became the family cook and baker. Many can attest to the delicious cakes and pies he so enjoyed preparing. For over 26 years, Joe and Sylvia made homemade scrapple, peanut brittle and 7-layer cookies for family and friends during the holidays. He was an active member of the Corrottoman Civic Center, The VFW Post 7167, Warsaw (Northern Neck Post) and the American Legion (Adams) Post 86, Kilmarnock.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Virginia King Davis and two sisters, Dolores Davis Haynie and Constance “Connie” Davis Booth.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sylvia McNeal Davis; children and spouses; James Edward Davis (Janie) of Farnham, Thomas Eugene Davis of Lancaster, Phyllis Davis O’Brien (Tom) of Irvington, Alonza “Lonnie” Joseph Davis, Jr. (Kim) of Lancaster, and Pamela Davis Fox (Jeff) of Rocky Mount, VA; his sister, Patricia Davis Satterfield (Bob) of Laurel Springs, NJ. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; Megan Davis Long (Stephen) of New Market, James Davis (Whitney) of Abilene, TX, Brooks Davis (Katie) of Amissville, Kisa O’Brien Sebren (Bill) of Kinsale, Danielle O’Brien of Richmond, Katherine O’Brien Rose (Devin) of White Stone, Joanne Tucker Williams (Kenny) of San Antonio, TX, Joseph Davis of Port Orange, FL, Heather Linhoss Tatman (Ryan) of Killeen, TX, and Holly Fox of Roanoke VA. Additional survivors include his eight great grandchildren; Atticus Long, Oakley Long, Declan Long, Callie Davis, Gilliam Sebren, River Rose, Kalissa Tatman and Tucker Tatman; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Lancaster Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 176, Lively, VA 22507

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Upper Lancaster Volunteer Rescue Squad, 123 Norris Road, Lively, VA 22507 on Saturday, November 26th, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. Joe will be interred at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church Cemetery in Kilmarnock, VA, at a later date.