Reginald Saunders Davis

Reginald Saunders Davis entered this world on June 29, 1949, to Isaac Saunders and Dorothy Lee Watson Davis on the Jeter Farm in Rehoboth, Virginia and his soul was reclaimed by God on March 14, 2021. During Reginald’s youth, his parents realized that he loved music. Thus, they purchased him a piano and he paid for his piano lessons. He had two teachers when he began, Mrs. Joyce Giles Robertson and Mrs. Marva Anderson. Mrs. Marva Anderson was his music teacher at high school. His musical giftedness allowed him to accompany his high school choir. After graduating from Lunenburg High School in June of 1967, he continued his education at the then Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Virginia. There he continued to study piano and organ with Mrs. Vanita S. Smith. He was a member of the infamous Saint Paul’s College Choir. It was there that the director, Mr. William R. Merrill, noticed that he had a powerful bass baritone voice. He began teaching him voice and even had him and another student to audition for the Metropolitan Opera Society; they both earned honorable mention. During the summers while attending Saint Paul’s College, Reginald continued his vocal training at the Manhattan School of Music in Manhattan, New York. Reginald graduated from Saint Paul’s College in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. He earned a Masters of Education from Virginia State University in Administration and Supervision in 1980. Musically over the course of his life, Reginald served as the pianist for the following churches: Mt. Mitchell Baptist church, Drakes Branch, VA; Calvary Baptist Church, Victoria, VA; Concord Baptist Church, Chase City, VA; Greater Union Baptist Church, Chase City, VA; St. John’s Baptist Church, Clarksville, VA; Antioch Baptist Church, Oxford, NC; and Third Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA. He was the first black soloist hired by the Washington Street United Methodist Church in Petersburg Virginia, under the direction of Fred Clements. Reginald was also the first black Organist at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Clarksville, Virginia. He was also the musical director for the R.S. Davis Singers. He is best known for his bass baritone voice when he performed Handel’s Messiah with the Petersburg Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and National Symphony. Reginald was also the principal soloist for the Richmond Choral Society and the Commonwealth Choral of Farmville, Virginia where he performed bass solos for Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Hayden’s Creation, Faure Requiem, and the Seven Last Words. Reginald would also perform recitals along the East Coast. Professionally, Reginald taught in the public-school systems in Prince Edward County, Charlotte County, and Petersburg City. He also worked as the Director of Pupil Personnel at Virginia State University until 1983 when he began his tenure with the Lunenburg County Public School System. He was the Assistant Principal at Victoria Elementary, Kenbridge Elementary, Lunenburg Middle, and then Principal of Lunenburg Middle School. He was appointed as the Director of Alternative Education and Special Projects and finally the Director of Administrative Services when he retired in 2016. He continued to work part time in this position until 2020. Reginald married Gracie Taylor Smith on July 19, 1986 and to this union one child was born. Civically, Reginald was the President of the Men’s Ministry for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia; Secretary of the Averette Union Masonic Lodge #235, Treasurer and Financial Secretary of the Saint Pauls’ College National Alumni Association, and President of the Lunenburg High School Alumni Association Reunion Planning Committee. Other than his parents, Reginald was predeceased by his father-in-law, mother-in-law, two brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles and cousins. To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife of the home; Gracie T. Davis, his daughter Robyn J. Davis, and granddaughter Jocelyn F. Davis-Russell of Laurel, MD; two stepsons: Kevin A. Smith of Pfafftown, NC, and Reginald D. Smith of Edgewater MD. One stepdaughter: Brenda Walker Gatling (C.J.) of Fayetteville, NC. One brother-in-law Deacon George A. Taylor (Renell), four sisters-in-law: Deacon Laura T. Tucker, Joyce T. Blackwell all of Chase City, VA; Reverend Rachel T. Satterfield, Richmond, VA and Pearl E. Taylor, Chesterfield, VA; step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services for Mr. Reginald Saunders Davis will be conducted 12:00 Noon, Sunday, March 21, 2021 at Giles-Harris Funeral Home, Chase City, VA with Rev. Dr. J. Elisha Burke officiating. Burial with Masonic Rites will follow in Mount Mitchell Baptist Church Cemetery, Drakes Branch, VA. Public viewing for family and friends will be held on Saturday from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, service seating will be limited, and a mask will be required for all viewings and services. We ask that you adhere to all guidelines, and practice social distancing. Live streaming for the funeral services of Mr. Reginald Davis will be streamed from the Harris Funeral Home Facebook page. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA.