Phillip Clarke Davis

Phillip Clarke Davis of Mount Vernon, formerly of Wilmington, North Carolina and Birmingham, Michigan, passed away on May 31, 2020, at 88 years old. Phillip was born in Vincennes, Illinois on August 13, 1931 to Millard Clifton "Jack" Davis and Rebecca Cook Davis. Phil and his sister, Nancy were raised by their parents in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Phillip attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where he majored in history, wrote and performed in many musical productions and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Most importantly, it was at DePauw where Phil met Mary Dee Emison. They graduated in 1953 and would later marry in 1956. Phil and Mary Dee were married 61 years until Mary Dee's passing in 2017.
After graduating from DePauw, Phil served in the United States Army at the end of the Korean War. Phil and Mary Dee were married in Sleepy Hollow, NY soon after Phil returned home from his service. Phil began his career in sales with General Cable Company and proceeded to be transferred to many parts of the country including New York City, and Washington DC, before settling in Michigan where they lived for 28 years. Together they raised three children: Robert, Bradley and Sandra. In Michigan, Phil embarked on a new career in residential real estate. God blessed him richly with numerous awards for top sales. Eventually Phil would open a new office in Birmingham, Michigan for Coldwell Banker.
Phil was an active member of Kirk in the Hills church in Bloomfield Hills, MI where he served as an elder and sang in the choir. Both Phil and Mary Dee also became active members at Kensington Community Church in Troy, MI. They eventually retired from real estate and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina where they could be close to Phil's sister, Nancy, and brother-in-law, Phil Smith and also care for Dorothy, Mary Dee's mother until Dorothy's passing. Global River Church members became another wonderful family to them.
During retirement Phil, discovered many new passions, including lifting weights, politics, and sharing his faith. He played the piano and sang regularly at hospitals and senior centers. He wrote about his own spiritual awakening in his book entitled "Happenings" and was dedicated to his monthly email newsletter "Truth and Speak Out." Phil and Mary Dee lived in Wilmington, NC fifteen years before moving to New York to be closer to their immediate family. In addition to spending much more time with children and grandchildren, Phil and Mary Dee played extensive backgammon recording upwards of 45,000 games in their lifetime.
Phil will be remembered for his gregarious nature, strong work ethic, love for performing jazz, opera, and show tunes both professionally and for friends and family, but most of all for his love and dedication to his family. He was always everyone's loudest and biggest cheerleader. Phil came to faith through challenging times in his early 40s. It was then that both Phil and Mary Dee committed their lives to Jesus Christ and began their journey of relying on God's grace and direction. His favorite verse to share was Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."
Philip is survived by his sons, Robert (Kim) and Bradley (Imelda), his daughter Sandra (Keith) and nine grandchildren: Rebecca (Todd), John, Jeffrey, Luke, Andrew, Matthew, Jessica, Christopher and Julia and by his sister, Nancy Smith (Philip deceased), sister-in-law, Anne Emison Harmon (deceased) and Howard Harmon, nephews Philip (Caroline), Jamie, and nieces Cynthia (Rand), Julie and seven grand nieces and nephews. We will all miss our backgammon marathons and hearing Dad shout "You done good!"
A celebration of Phillip's life will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York on Thursday, June 11 at 11:30 AM, with immediate family members. For more information or to leave a condolence message please visit Pelham Funeral Home. Donations may be made to Global River Church, House of Mercy Ministry.