Obituary for Bruce Eric Davis

Bruce Eric Davis, beloved husband and father, Grampers, brother, uncle, family member and friend, completed his earthly journey on October 5, 2022. His quick and witty sense of humor, warm smile, humble integrity and ability to entertain a room with a piano will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

 

Mr. Davis was born on May 13, 1952 to Andrew and Bette (née Wright) Davis and raised in Mansfield, OH as a tight-knit family of six children. He graduated from Malabar High School and went on to study Business at the historically Black learning institution, Knoxville College, majoring in mathematics. His affinity for numbers propelled him into a career in insurance and financial portfolio management.

Mr. Davis parts from the side of his partner and wife of 46 years, Susan (née Williams) Davis. They married in 1975, building a family and a successful Allstate insurance business together until retiring into full time grandparenthood in 2016. Mr. Davis’ life has been marked by significant triumphs and proud moments: he and his siblings were their parents’ dreams fulfilled, along with building a foundation of immense love that reverberated throughout the generations to follow; he and his wife earned multiple sales accolades and trips to places like Hawaii and the Bahamas, and awards for excellence; he was the adored patriarch of a talented family of families consisting of one son, Bruce (Shannon) Shelley, and three daughters, Melanie (Scott) Stanton, Dr. Janae Davis, and Shiva (Michael) Scotti, fourteen grandchildren, Kaden (Jacob), Kameron (Brooklyn), Sidney, Quindon, Taylor, Jadyn, Mallory, Myles, Maximilian, Mara, Logan and Nova, and two great-granddaughters, Ava and Camia.

A gifted and self-taught musician from the age of 3, Mr. Davis formed several R&B bands and performed extensively in central Ohio’s music scene. As Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Crestline, he led and directed a talented choir.

He loved being with family, sampling all the desserts, teaching his grandchildren how to fish, playing golf, attending the activities of his children and grandchildren, and helping others. Mr. Davis was a supportive and encouraging force and a sincere champion of all his babies’ accomplishments. He was generous and kind, humble and honest, respected and admired, but most of all, loved deeply by many.

Mr. Davis abandons the form that stole his memory without dampening his sparkle. His struggles with the physical and emotional effects of dementia are eased, and for that, we are grateful and celebrate his everlasting life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the RAINEY INSTITUTE of Cleveland, Ohio at www.raineyinstitute.org/donate-now. Any gift made under the name BRUCE DAVIS will be applied to the institute’s various music programs for underserved black youth. Mr. Davis’ family would also like to thank Kemper House of Worthington and Capital City Hospice for their loving care and compassion during his transition. Funeral services have been entrusted to Hill Funeral Home, 220 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio, 43081. Calling hours will be held on Monday, October 10th from 9:00am - 11:00am, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00am. Burial will be held privately on Tuesday at Blendon Central Cemetery, 6330 South Hempstead Road, Westerville, Ohio, 43081, with a repast immediately following Monday's services at Old Bag of Nails, 24 North State Street, 3rd floor, Westerville, Ohio, 43081.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife, children, and siblings, Lynda Kidd, Vincent (Leslie) Davis, Michael Davis, Cynthia (Darrick) Beauford, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Mr. Davis will rejoin his mother, father, sister, Terri Lee, and a host of other fondly remembered family members in the spiritual realm.