Edward Eugene Davis, Sr. Well-known skater in Erie area

Edward Eugene Davis, Sr., 57, 2609 East Ave., formerly of 125 W. 20th St., passed away Sunday, June 3, 2007, at Saint Vincent Health Center after an extended illness.

He was born in Laurel, MS, on September 24, 1949, to Celestine Bell Davis, Erie, and the late Charles Louis Davis. He moved to Erie with his family when he was two years old and was educated in the Erie School District. He was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School where he was an outstanding basketball player. He joined Second Baptist Church (then located on East 18th St.) at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of the late Rev. A. H. Hunter.

He was employed as a machinist by General Electric for thirty-seven years until his illness in 2005. He also served as Union Steward at the plant. In addition, Edward worked diligently as a financial advisor for Prime America and A. J. Williams Investments, and also prepared taxes for 22 years until the time of his death. He served as the Financial Treasurer for the Salt & Pepper Mime Company and was a notary public. As an adult he supported the Missionary Society and the Food Bank at Second Baptist Church. Ed loved music, especially Reggae, and had a passion for drums. His playing was to mimic the James Brown band. His major hobby was skating and he was known in the Erie community as Ed “Rink Rat” Davis because of his unique way of skating. Ed’s skating took him to various cities. He even had a following with logo-t-shirts that were worn at the weekly skating ventures. During this time he teamed up with a friend, Jerry Bo, and the group’s trademark name was later changed to “Bo Rat”. Other hobbies included bowling and chess, where he was always challenging someone to a game. Ed, known as “Bro” to his family, had a candid sense of humor and was always cracking jokes.

Besides his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Davis, Jr.; five uncles, Edward Dace, Willie Grady, Eddie C. Davis, and John and Jim Heidelberg; four great great-uncles, Willie, Grady, George and Roosevelt Davis; four aunts, Rebecca Heidelberg, Gracie Bell, Emma and Carleva Davis; a nephew, Benjamin Saunders Davis; and grandparents, Ed and Rosella Bell and Nathaniel and Minnie Davis.

In addition to his beloved mother, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife of nine months, Mable Howard Henderson Davis, Erie; a son, Edward Eugene Davis, Jr. and his wife Tara Lynn, Pittsburgh; three sisters, Martina J. Davis Jones and Selestine L. Davis Torok, both of Erie, and Scottie Lee Davis, New York, N.Y.; four stepchildren, Kreamor, Chamere and Chamell Henderson, all of Erie, and Rochelle Davis, Huntsville, Ala.; one granddaughter, Naysa Imari Davis, Huntsville, Ala., six step grandchildren, Tevin and Devin Gibson, Pittsburgh, Quayshia Beason, Deonjinique Henderson, Demal Mathis and Kremaine Thompson, all of Erie; four aunts, Katie Ruth Bell Anderson, Erie, Pinka Anderson, Omaha, Neb., Eunice Dace, Chicago, Ill., and Ida Irons, Columbus, Miss.; two uncles A. D. and Quincy Irons, Columbus, Miss.; three nieces, Shauna D. Douglas (Kirk), Gainesville, Fla., Marieka L. Jones and a special niece, Renita L. Chapman (James), all of Erie; five nephews, Teron L. Davis (Janet), Marcus Davis, and Charles, Robert and Shawn Chandler, all of Erie; fourteen great nieces and nephews, Shanaya, Amaria, Shayonna, Nashawna, Aujanique, Rajanique, Shaquain, Phillip, Charles Jr., Kanaan, Kirshon, David, Joshua and Stephon; two great uncles, Shumphert and Maximillan Davis, both of Wowie, MD; in-laws, Ernestine and Lester Howard Jr., Erie, and Chancy Robertson, Fla.; special caretaker, Elnora Johnson; many cousins, other relatives and friends.

Friends are invited to share with the family on Sunday, June 10, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Second Baptist Church, 757 E. 26th St. The home going celebration will be held Monday, 11 a.m., at Second Baptist, with Rev. Dr. Allen B. Green officiating. Interment in Erie County Memorial Gardens. Funeralization by Law Funeral Home, 1861 Buffalo Road.