“ o all mothers,
Please talk with your children, pray with your children, raise them in the right way and they won’t stray from you. Never give up that FAITH! Let them know that you trust and believe in them and that God does too…”
Virginia Roberts Davis
Mother of Troy Davis
May 19, 1945-April 12, 2011
October 9, 1968 - September 21, 2011
Memorial Service
Friday, September 30, 2011
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
New Life Apostolic Temple
Savannah, Georgia
A Celebration of Life Service
Saturday, October 1, 2011
11 o’clock a.m.
Jonesville Baptist Church of the P.A.W., Inc.
5201 Montgomery Street
Savannah, GA 31405
Bishop James G. Rogers, Pastor
Eulogist
Reverend Doctor Raphael Warnock
Senior Pastor
Ebenezer Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
Officiating
Elder John P. Anderson, Sr.
Senior Pastor
New Life Apostolic Temple
Savannah, Georgia
Private Interment
t goes without saying, life can be something else. The good news is that no matter what comes our way, our God is able. God is able to keep you through all of life’s ups and downs. God is able to provide grace during the most challenging of all times. Yes, our God has kept us in the midst of it all. In penning these lines that tells a little of our brother’s story, we want you to know from the onset that words are really inadequately to express our sentiments. Just know that love kept us together.
Our parents, the late Joseph L. Davis and Virginia Roberts Davis gloried in the birth of their first male child, the second of five children born to them. This blessing occurred on October 9, 1968 in Savannah, Georgia. Our mother and father were loving parents who nurtured us to always stand together. Our father taught us that life will throw curves, but how you handle what came you way is what would make or break you. He stressed that each generation should be better than the previous generation. We were somewhat sheltered, as our parents did their best to protect us from the evil of this world, yet we were told to be mindful of the things we could not control. Our mother, a gentle giant, would quietly and sternly admonish us to stay strong and trust that the truth shall always prevail, one way or the other. Her civil rights work prepared us for the days which we lived. Our family vacations kept us well rounded. We were given every opportunity to make the best out of ourselves.
Now what should we say about our brother? Troy was a moma’s boy. He loved moma and moma loved him. They shared a special bond. We all shared a special relationship with our parents and were made to feel like we were the only child at times--our parents were just that attentive. Many may have forgotten, but Troy loved to dance. He
was very skillful and was a great dancer. He loved art and could draw just about anything. Troy was a good student, and was particularly good in math. Though shy, his determination to help others reflected in his desire to be a peace maker among the younger kids in the community.
Troy sacrificed much of himself for the betterment of others. He cared for us in a way that is unspeakable. He gave of himself beyond measure. It was at the age of 16 that Troy proved himself as a lover of family. His love for Kim during challenging times in her life gave her the ability to beat all odds and shows us that all things are possible if you believe in yourself and others. Today, Kim walks as a shining example of God’s love and her brother’s care.
Now when you speak of Lester and Ebony, just know those two became the apple of Troy’s eye. He would refer to Ebony as his “little butter ball”, though Daddy called her “Frog” as she bounced all over the place. To Lester there was nobody else that mattered besides his big brother. Troy, in Lester eyes, was the big brother that taught him the hidden secrets of the world. As the two younger siblings, Troy made it his personal mission to care for them, especially when mom and dad were not around.
In the midst of life, we often encounter one thing after another. Troy had dreams of joining the United States Marine Corps, following in the path of our father, a veteran of the Korean War. But as destiny would have it, the twist in the road became several bends and a cliff. But as we were taught, we met triumph and disaster just the same. Troy kept his eyes forward and continued to hope for the best. Actually, the days as “junior deacon” at our grandfather’s church would help him to remember his faith and trust God through it all.
Our grandfather, a pentacostal minister, made a deposit in Troy’s life that would allow him to become a man of remarkable faith.
Death Row could not shake Troy’s faith. Faith doesn’t always mean things will work out they should, but it does mean regardless of how it works out, God is still in control and is always worth recognizing as the Head of your life. Troy lived his faith.
The faith to live is what kept all of us---the faith that taught us to continue to seek the best for others remains constant.
De’Jaun emulates Troy’s quiet demeanor and compassion for people. De’Jaun embodies his uncle’s advice to always remember the good and always strive for the best. Troy often reminded De’Jaun that both his and Kiersten’s generation should be better than the previous and one way to achieve this is to always do your best.
We could go on and on. But no matter our long or short our words—Our love remains the same.
We all lived this death row experience – together. We did not know what to expect or when to expect the unacceptable. However; we kept our hope alive.
I AM Troy Davis--That is who we are.
I AM Troy Davis-- Never allow anyone to kill your spirit; and never allow your best to be in vain.
I AM Troy Davis-- Open your eyes, open your mouth and extend your hand and do something to make a difference.
I AM Troy Davis-- Let’s bring an end to the barbaric and inhumane treatment of our brothers and sisters.
As God would allow it, not necessarily in His perfect will, but his permission will, Wednesday, September 21, 2011 came. We found ourselves in a place of total disbelief that the inevitable was bound to happen. We made our prayers to God, embraced each other and walked that final mile of the journey started some 22 years ago. I am Troy Davis, at 11:08pm that awful hour came. I am Troy Davis, breathe left our bodies….tears filled our eyes…… but the struggle must continue. I am Troy Davis – they have only succeeded in taking my physical body because my soul belongs to God.
Left to celebrate his legacy: Martina Davis-Correia, Kimberly Davis, and Ebony Davis, Shirley DavisLogan (DeWayne). Brothers: Lester Davis, Joseph Davis Jr., (Mary), Ronald Davis Sr., (Cynthia), Willie Davis, Willie Jones (Vivian). Nephew: Antone’ De’Jaun Davis-Correia and niece, Kiersten Herron. Aunts: Pamela Cooper (Elder Robert), Mollie Kelly (Bishop Ernest), Midway, GA, Mattie Bell Hazzard, Adelaide Hopkins of Savannah, GA. Uncles, Silas Frazier, Sr. and Walter Sanders, Sr. of Savannah, GA; Cousins: Valarie West (Elijah, Jr.), Vernon Frazier (Linda), LaTrena Frazier, Reginald Frazier, Toiwanna Williams, Tanisha Frazier, Yolanda Frazier, Elijah West III, Gertie Marie Lucas (Elder Jerry), Gail Frazier, Patricia King, Selma Green, Victor Lee Hopkins, Tyrone Hopkins, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Special friend: Sharonda Johnson.
Lovingly Submitted, Tina, Kim, Lester, Ebony, De’Jaun, Kiersten and family
Prelude
The Processional
Video Presentation
Words of Grace & Greetings | Bishop James G. Rogers
Presiding | Elder John P. Anderson, Sr., Pastor
New Life Apostolic Temple
The Call for Divine Intervention
The Opening Hymn | Glory to His Name
The Prayer of Comfort | Reverend Southhall Brown, Sr.
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Baptist Church
Prayer Response | Give Us This Day
The Reading of Holy Scripture
Old Testament | Rev. Richard Hall, Sr.
2nd Arnold Baptist Church
New Testament | Rev. Nathaniel Smalls, Jr.
Greater Friendship Baptist Church
The Epistle | The Rev. Debra Metzger Shew, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta
The Call for Justice
Musical Selection | New Life Temple Voices of Praise & Abundant Life Fellowship Chorale of Camden, SC
Litany for Justice | Sister Jackie Griffith, Savannah, GA
Laura Moye, Washington, DC
Earl Red, Atlanta, GA
Nettie Blake, Savannah, GA
ear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
Psalm 61:1-2 KJV
Helen Tygret, Bluffton, SC
Gautam Narula, Atlanta, GA
Devin Jackson, Savannah, GA
Demetris Barnes, Savannah, GA
Words of Witness | Attorney Jason Ewart, Washington, DC
Ledra Sullivan-Russell, St. Simons, GA
Reverend Randy Loney, Columbus, GA
Edward DuBose, Columbus, GA
The Call for Advocacy & Action
Special Reading | Gemma Puglisi, American University
Words of Reflections | Antone’ De’Jaun Davis-Correia (Nephew)
Special Music | Robert Hatcher, from Sunday Best
The Charge to Act | Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP
Continuing the Fight | Larry Cox, Amnesty International Dick Gregory, Activist
The Call for Healing & Restoration
Ministry of Music | Christal Brown Gibson, Charleston, SC
The Eulogy | Reverend Doctor Raphael Warnock, Pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia
Musical Response | Deitrick Haddon
Words of Gratitude | Rev. Charles L. White, Jr.
Farewell Address
The Benediction | Rev. Cheryl Parris St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
The Recessional | New Life Temple Voices of Praise & Abundant Life Fellowship Chorale of Camden, SC
f we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything... that smacks of discrimination or slander.
~Mary McLeod Bethune
ustice is never given; it is exacted and the struggle must be continuous for freedom is never a final fact, but a continuing evolving process to higher and higher levels of human, social, economic, political and religious relationship.
~ A. Philip Randolph
Leader: Gloom covers us as we stand, not only as witnesses to a miscarriage of justice, but also to the extreme malfunction of the American judicial system that resulted in the execution of Troy Davis.
People: We pray to the Lord for the soul of Troy Davis.
Leader: A system that ignored the pleas of our country’s religious leaders, politicians and CEOs, and disregarded the protests of citizens, both home and abroad, who wanted desperately to right an original wrong.
People: We pray to the Lord for this great country.
Leader: A system that was birthed from social injustices, then forced to rebuild, and is now under the mantle of justice for all.
People: We pray to the Lord for our Judicial System.
Leader: A system that replaces God’s authority to take a life with human hands and minds.
People: We pray to the Lord for guidance.
Leader: Human minds that are flawed with perceptions that construct our own personal realities.
“ f you will protest courageously, and yet with dignity and Christian love, when the history books are written in future generations, the historians will have to pause and say, “There lived a great people who injected new meaning and dignity into the veins of civilization.” This is our challenge and our overwhelming responsibility.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
People: We pray to the Lord for the renewing of our minds.
Leader: Scripture teaches us not to ignore evil, but instead to stare at it directly, decree the virtues of the Lord and become ambassadors for change.
People: We pray to the Lord for wisdom.
Leader: Troy Davis joins others who have lost their lives, thus becoming a seed that will blossom into a tree of wisdom and knowledge for those left behind.
People: We pray to the Lord for the soul of Troy Davis.
Leader: Troy Davis is not silenced by death, but now inspires us all to do even greater works leading to true justice for all.
People: We thank the Lord for the voice of Troy Davis.
Leader: The body of Troy Davis is laid to rest but the fight for justice does not end. We pray for the justice and peace that comes from God alone to be on earth as it is in heaven.
All: Although our hearts are saddened by the events and circumstances culminating on this day, we will remember Troy Davis, whose life highlights the very fabric of social injustice. When we say, “I am Troy Davis”, it means we profess that we, too, are foot soldiers, united in the army of justice, never retreating, but pressing on until victory is won.
We pray to the Lord for our own souls and the soul of Troy Davis, martyr and foot soldier.
“ “ old your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive. Don’t you surrender! Suffering breeds character, character breeds faith. In the end faith will not disappoint.”
~ Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
s long as hope remains and meaning is preserved, the possibility of overcoming oppression stays alive.”
~ Dr. Cornel West
o All: I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.
As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case aboutTroy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.
I cannot answer all of your letters but I do read them all, I cannot see you all but I can imagine your faces, I cannot hear you speak but your letters take me to the far reaches of the world, I cannot touch you physically but I feel your warmth everyday I exist.
So Thank you and remember I am in a place where execution can only destroy your physical form but because of my faith in God, my family and all of you I have been spiritually free for some time and no matter what happens in the days, weeks to come, this Movement to end the death penalty, to seek true justice, to expose a system that fails to protect the innocent must be accelerated. There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this Unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country.
I can’t wait to Stand with you, no matter if that is in physical or spiritual form, I will one day be announcing, ” I AM TROY DAVIS, and I AM FREE!”
Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!
