Rev. Thornton Davis Sr.

Thornton Davis was born to the late Marshall and Roxie Davis on May 8, 1928 in Boligee, Alabama. He professed his faith in Christ at an early age, and was baptized at the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Boligee, AL. under the pastorage of the late Rev. W. Fields. Thornton was educated at the Greene County Training School, and was employed with Greene County as a School Bus Driver. He also worked in his family's business until 1950. At this time, he decided to relocate to Detroit, MI looking for better employment opportunities. Once he arrived in Michigan, he immediately joined his siblings at the Leland Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. H.C. Banks. During this time, Thornton was employed by Hi-Grade and Dodge Main. He was a licensed commercial truck driver holding a CDL and Chauffer Licence with several endorsements. He was a driver for his brother Abraham Knott's trucking company, and also a truck driver for L&M Trucking company owned by Rev. Leon Nesbitt. Thornton could drive anything with wheels! He often bragged about being the best Semi Truck Driver on the earth! On, January 4, 1951. He was drafted into the US Army and deployed to Germany to serve in the actively ongoing Korean War. While there, it was discovered that he had a love for, and met the necessary requirements of defensive driving skills that allowed him to be selected to escort and chauffer the Generals and officers. Thornton's passion for singing afforded him the opportunity to regularly sing at the Non Commissioned Officers Club. While still serving in the Army, he made the decision to marry and later moved his family to Detroit, Michigan. When Thornton was honorably discharged from the Army, he was able to return to his place of active fellowship and worship at Leland M.B. Church with his wife and son Thornton Jr. He's always had a love for singing and had a powerful voice. He was a member of the Male Chorus, Triumphant Choir, Gospel Chorus and Mass Choir. He was a spirit filled lead singer with great vocal range ability having an especially deep bass voice. Of the many songs that he sang, "Brighter Day Ahead" and the Dr. Watts responsorial hymn "I Love the Lord He Heard My Cry" was his favorite and most requested to minister. During Ordination Services at Leland and other churches that Leland had an ongoing fellowship with, he was often asked to sing the hymn "A Charge To Keep I Have". Thornton was also a member of the Quartet singing group called the Zion Travelers who toured across many states to perform. The group members were Thornton Davis Sr., Hosey Davis Sr., Marshall Davis Sr., Forest Davis, Abraham Knott, Lovell Knott and Mr. Gilmore. Thornton served faithfully at Leland in various capacities, and was later ordained as a Deacon by the late Pastor, Rev. Eugene Rhodes on May 10, 1959. Around the same year, an amazing young gospel music group was formed and managed by Deacon Davis calling themselves the Varitone Gospel Singers. Thornton managed the group which included his children Lutricia, T. Davis, Jr., Melvin, his nephew Marvin Dennis Carter, and their childhood friend Leo Wiggins, and later in the 1960's Gary Craig joined. Thornton began working at Ford Motor Company in 1961, retiring in 1993. At the time of his retirement, he was recognized as having perfect attendance throughout his entire tenure. His military life teachings never changed. He would be 1 hour early, but never a minute late! After running, running and running some more, Thornton finally submitted to the call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After taking the necessary courses at The Detroit Bible College, and preaching his trial sermon, he was licensed on May 25, 1986 by the late Rev. Dr. Eugene Rhodes. Thornton continued his Christian education taking classes with Tyndale Bible College receiving several certificates of completion. It was almost impossible for Thornton to be still in any way shape or form. So, after retiring from Ford Motor Company, he immediately started working for the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern MI in 1994, retiring from there in 2014. Thornton was given several negative health diagnosis beginning in December of 2019, but his faith, prayer life and trust in God never wavered. The health challenges began to advance causing him to be hospitalized and placed in rehabilitation several times beginning in 2022 until his passing. He never complained, and took a licking and kept on ticking and had testimony after testimony about the goodness, mercy, grace and favor of God. If he couldn't attend church, he still had church. it was definitely in his heart and soul. He sang wherever he was including the hospitals and rehab like he was at church in Sunday Service. He was determined to LIVE while he was living. When his health began to fail in June of 2025, he still believed that Without God, he could do nothing. He sang and even taught some of the nurses and aides what Miter Hymns and Devotion was, and had to let them know that the Dr. Watts he was speaking of was not on staff there! His ministry never ceased. One aide even professed her faith and wanted to be baptized. Even though he wasn't able to attend services, but she told us that she was invited by him to just go to the Leland Missionary Baptist Church, and tell my Pastor, Rev. Frank J. Knolton, Sr. that I sent you!! They will baptize you! A soldier til the end. He was determined that he wanted to get back to church to sing one last song, and preach one last sermon. He even titled the desired sermon that he was working on "There's Nothing Too Hard For God." Matthew 19:26. In his 97 years of life, Thornton never met a stranger, loved to laugh, preach, sing, travel, visit various restaurants, read the Bible, study and scheduled everything around Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Baseball, Football and Basketball. If you called during that time, he would tell you quickly, "I'll call you back!" if he even answered. He loved the visits, treats and gifts, but most importantly the time given from his grandchildren were priceless. Yes! They spoiled him too! Thornton loved to laugh and often joked that he moved up from a mule's back and a cotton sack to a Cadillac! Rev. Thornton Davis, Sr. departed this life on Thursday August 28, 2025, and was preceded in death by his parents, and 16 siblings of the Knott/Davis Family. He leaves behind to carry on a lasting legacy, son,Thornton Davis Jr. (Alice), daughters, Elizabeth Washington, Gladys Williams (Rev. Josie Williams)(d), Dr. Willie Esther McAlpine (Alonzo K. Alston)(d), Tanya Denise Johnson (Pierre) Brother, Hosey Davis Sr. (Priscilla)(d),Sisters, Josephine (Pastor Nathaniel Slappey)(d), Armadine (Pastor Charlie Knighten), and Beatrice Barnett (Grady)(d) Godsons, Paul Bradley (Sharon) and Lyndon Brookins (Rhonda), Godchildren (The Knott Family - Children of Elder Lovell & Minnie Knott) GodGrandson, Fredie Davis II & numerous nieces, nephews and Friends.

Rev. Thornton Davis Sr.

May 8, 1928 - August 28, 2025