Sylvia J. Davis Obituary

Sylvia Jane Davis, daughter of the late Lillian McDaniel Davis and Carl R. Davis, was born on February 28, 1944, in Bluefield, West Virginia. She entered eternal life with Jesus Christ on July 4, 2026, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. Sylvia was educated in the West Virginia School System, attending the West Virginia School for the Deaf & Blind in Romney, WV. She and her twin sister, Shelia were the first African American students enrolled in the school after desegregation. Sylvia excelled academically but her love was music. In addition to taking voice lessons, she had a God given ability to play any kind of percussion instrument, whether drums, cymbals, xylophones or shakers. She was always clapping her hands, patting her feet or beating on something to make sound.

Sylvia accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. She was a former member of Jones Chapel United Holy Church in Freemen, WV and served faithfully in the music ministry for over 32 years. After relocating to Delaware, she attended the Church of The Living Word in Wilmington prior to joining The Church of God at Iron Hill in Newark where she served faithfully as drummer, worship team member and sang with the Voices for Christ singing group. After COVID she began attending Straight Gate Church in Philadelphia until the time of her passing.

Sylvia's life was defined by faith, service and love. She and her twin sister were a singing duo known as "The Davis Sisters". Both were accomplished musicians and are a living testimony to the glory of God. Music was her life. She could memorize words and the beat to a song after only listening to it a few times. Sylvia freely shared her God given gift. Whether at nursing homes, hospitals, churches, airways, concert halls, special occasions or just humming going throughout her day, she brought joy to all with whom she came in contact. After the death of her twin sister, she enrolled in the Adult Day Service Program at Easter Seals. There she developed many relationships which meant a lot to her.

She was predeceased by her parents and twin sister, Shelia. Sylvia leaves to cherish her memory: one brother, Richard (Carolyn) Davis of Newark, DE; one sister, Deborah (Patrick) Cooke of Bear, DE; 2 nieces, Geneen (Arthur) Washington of Winston Salem, NC and Ashley (Thomas) Robinson of New Castle, DE; god niece Brittainey H. of Wilmington, DE; one nephew, Richard Davis, II of Philadelphia, PA; 2 great nephews, Dr Zayne Washington of Fredericksburg, VA and Brandon Wiggins of Philadelphia, PA: one great niece, Alexis Wiggins of Baltimore, MD; 2 god nieces, Aften and Emeri Nelson of Wilmington, DE; 2 Aunts, Dorothy Smith of Columbus, OH and Shirley Coleman of Gahanna, OH and a host of other relatives and friends.