Rev. Dr. Victor L. Davis, Sr.

March 10, 1952 - May 10, 2021

Legacy of Life Rev. Dr. Victor Davis was born on March 10, 1952, to the late Ruby M. Riddick and George Davis. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 12 and was baptized at the Piney Grove Baptist Church in Princess Anne County, Virginia. At the age of 19, he surrendered to God’s call to the gospel ministry. Rev. Davis graduated from Floyd Kellam High School in 1969,Norfolk State University in 1975, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, with a Master of Divinity degree in 1979; Union Theological Seminary, with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1983, and a graduate of the Harvard University 2000 Summer Leadership Institute. His vocational and ministry occupations include serving as Associate Minister from 1977-1979 at the New Rising Star Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, Associate Pastor and Pastor of East End Baptist Church,Suffolk, Virginia, from 1980-1986; Director of Black Church Relations, Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1986-1991. From 1989, Dr. Davis has served as the Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Dr. Davis has served the community through various organizations. He has served the Maggie Walker Governor’s School and the Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond, of which he was a board member. He has served as the President of the Canaan Housing Foundation where he successfully lead in the building and current management of two Affordable Housing Complexes, the Bowler Retirement Community and the Bacon Retirement Community. Dr. Davis taught Health and Physical Education at Whitcomb Court Elementary, Clark Springs Elementary School, Fairfield Elementary, and George Mason Elementary School. His Book Ushering With A Mission: A Training Manual for the Development of the Usher’s Ministry was published in 1999. This work has earned him the title of “Father of the modern-day ushers’ movement.” Dr. Davis married Rosa Bates on December 27, 1976. They were blessed with two children, Victor Jr. and Kristin, one granddaughter, Ivy Ingrao-Davis, three sisters-in-law, Joan Artis, Rosetta Brown (Gervais),Doreen Walls, one brother-in-law, Dr. Vincent Michael Bates, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.