Dr. Ronald Percy Davis, Sr.'s Obituary
Dr. Ronald Percy Davis, Sr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 15, 1952 to the late Juanita and Melvin Davis, Sr. At a young age Dr. Davis's family relocated to New York City where he was raised and educated. He was known for his unwavering support and readiness to help people along with his strong interests in reading and academics. Dr. Davis’s passion was to serve God and humanity and that was surely reflected in his personal and professional achievements. He significantly impacted many lives in so many ways throughout his lifetime. On January 24, 2025, Dr. Ronald Davis, Sr. made his transition to paradise leaving cherished memories and a strong personal and professional legacy.
Education: Each academic achievement was earned with high honors that included: Bachelor of Science degree in social work, Miles College, Birmingham, Alabama; Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey; Master of Arts in Religion, Wake Forest University in Winton-Salem, North Carolina; Doctor of Ministry-Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He took great pride in his thesis: “A Comparative Study of the Theologies of James Cone and Gustavo Gutierrez.”
Professional: Board Certified Chaplain
Dr. Davis worked as a Staff Chaplain at the Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center. While working there, he successfully completed the Adventist Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) program four units. After completing the ACPE program, Chaplain Davis successfully completed and earned the Board-Certified Chaplain Certification (BCCI) which is the highest level of professional certification in the chaplaincy. He had a focus in psychotherapy and accepted employment as a Staff Chaplain with St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. Chaplain Davis accelerated his Chaplain career and was employed as Staff Chaplain with Hospital for Sick Children/Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Academic: Dr. Davis began his college teaching career at Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland that spanned between the years 1997- and -2024. During his tenure at Bowie State University, he worked as Adjunct Professor and also on the Faculty for the Department of History and Government. Dr. Davis loved teaching at Bowie State University and loved teaching his students. He especially loved teaching African American Studies and also using his wisdom and expertise in religion he also taught religion classes (Intro to Old Testament, Intro to New Testament, and History of World Religions). Dr. Ronald Davis, Sr's teaching experience expands beyond the college level. He also taught African American Studies at Anne Arundel County Community College and Prince George’s Community College-both in Maryland, Central Texas College off campus at Bolling Air Force Base (AFB) in Washington, D,C. Dr. Davis had experience teaching seminary students. He has also taught at Shaw University Divinity School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As Pastor: From early childhood, Ronald attended Russell Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (C.M.E.) located in the Bronx, New York. He was very active at his home church and loved participating in church activities and events. He was especially proud to have played the part of Jesus in a Christmas play. Dr. Davis accepted his calling in the ministry under the leadership of his Pastor, Rev. Frank Fuller and was on the local minister path that led him to be ordained a local minister in 1976. Shortly thereafter, he relocated his wife and children to Birmingham, AL where he attended Miles College. While a student at Miles College, he was assigned his first church, Welch Chapel C.M.E. in Brighton, AL. While living in Birmingham, AL, his assignments included Springhill C.M.E. Church, Munford, AL and Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church in Alphine, AL. He pastored these churches simultaneously alternating Sundays. After graduating from Miles College with honors, he was accepted to Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey while he was also the Pastor of Mount Olive C.M.E. Church in Camden, NJ. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary with honors, he was assigned to Pastor St. John C.M.E Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for 12 years. He accepted this assignment and relocated his family to Winston-Salem, NC. God blessed his ministry and worked through Pastor Davis and members to accomplished many things. Just to name a few accomplishments made under the leadership of Rev. Ronald Davis, Sr he led the church to prosperity from a position of being in the red. He stabilized the finances of the church, increased the membership and spiritual health of the church, established the Tongues of Fire Youth and Young Adult Choir, improved the worship service and Bible Study. He added drums and hire a Minister of Music. Rev. Davis laid the foundation for building a new Sanctuary. Over $150,000 was available to begin the construction of the new church building even before he left St. John in Winston-Salem, NC. Rev. Ronald Davis, Sr. was loved and very popular with the local ministers of all denominations. In 1996, Rev. Ronald Davis and family relocated to Bowie, Maryland. Eventually Pastor Davis was assigned as Pastor to Tabernacle C.M.E. Church in St. Albans Queens, New York.
While Pastor of Hopps Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) in Syracuse, NY, Dr. Ronald Davis, Sr. had a successful ministry and outreach ministry. He served as the 3rd President of the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS) for two years. Under his leadership, ACTS was affiliated with The Gamaliel Foundation Network, a nationwide grassroots organization network. This network trains ordinary people to build power in their communities focusing on voting rights and education, empowering the community and faith leaders to participate in political, environmental, social, and economic decisions that impact individual lives.
Other successful pastorates include Calvary C.M.E. Church in Jersey City, New Jersey; and St. John C.M.E Church in Washington, DC. He also had the high honor to serve as the Regional Evangelism Chairperson for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 7th Episcopal District, New York/Washington Conference.
God moved on Dr. Davis heart to start an outreach ministry to serve the local community where he lived preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and saving souls. In 1998, Dr. Davis became the Founder and Pastor of New Revelations in Christ Ministries, Inc (NRIC) and remained Pastor in Bowie, MD. His motto was “ I will prepare and my opportunity will come”. Dr. Davis was invited to partner with the Church of God in Christ (Rhode Island Jurisdiction) by Bishop Harvey L. Lewis, NRIC then became part of the Church of God in Christ. Dr. Ronald P. Davis, Sr. was recommended and endorsed by Bishop Harvey L. Lewis, Sr. to be the Chaplain for the Rhode Island Jurisdiction Bishop Harvey L. Lewis, Sr. also recommended and endorsed Dr. Ronald P. Davis, Sr. for the position of National Chaplaincy for the Church of God in Christ. Dr. Davis was honored and proud to serve in both these positions with the Church of God in Christ.
Family Legacy: Dr. Davis loved and cherished his family and is survived by his wife Brenda (Albritton) Davis. Ronald and Brenda Davis were greatly blessed to be happily married over 48+ years. They are the proud parents of four children: Tyrone W. Counts (deceased); Tracey D. Counts, New York, NY; Desiree A. Counts, McDonough, GA; and Ronald P. Davis, Jr. (Demeca), Clinton, MD. Grandchildren: Erica Counts Spencer, Taylor Counts Haile(Gregory), Aundrea Counts, Quinton Counts, William B. Rosenberg (Kionna), Ashlee Rosenberg, Tyler Gobourne, Hailey Gobourne, Stephen Gobourne, Ronald P. Davis, III (Aniaya), Raelyn Davis, Ronayah Davis. Great-grandchildren: Camryn Spencer, Cayla Spencer, Madison Foster, Brandon Rosenberg, Bella Rosenberg, Aniyah Burgos, Ahmirah Carter, Bryson Counts, Micah Miller, Falynn Gobourne, N’Kosi Gobourne, Reina Davis, King Ronald-Percy Davis. Brothers and Sisters: Terrance Davis (Kimberly), Minnie Lee Davis Render, and nephew Derrick Davis whom Ronald helped care for and was Derrick’s Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy. Deceased brothers and sisters: James Willie Davis, Melvina Davis, Flora Davis, Maria Davis, Melvin Davis, and William Derrick (Ricky) Davis, and Jeanetta, Davis. There are a hosts of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues who loved him dearly and will deeply miss their loved one Ronald.
He was a great loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, pastor, college professor, board certified chaplain, community organizer, teacher, mentor and many other titles he was honored to hold. His immeasurable spirit and life he led impacted countless individuals that are forever grateful for the many ways Dr. Ronald Percy Davis, Sr. significantly touched their lives.
A public viewing for Dr. Davis will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Refreshing Spring Church of God in Christ, 6200 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park, MD 20737 from 10-11 am. A Homegoing Service will begin at 11:00 am. Entombment at Bestgate Memorial Park, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 will immediately follow.
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