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Joseph Leon Davis
Joseph Leon Davis, age 77, passed away on Monday, November 19, 2018, in Raleigh, NC. He is survived by his children, Patricia Davis Chilton (Ski Chilton) of Tucson, AZ and Evan Davis of Raleigh; his grandchildren, Adam Kessler, Rachel Kessler, Donna Kessler, and Leah Kessler; his brothers, Gene Davis and Don Davis; and his partner, Hope Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Linwood Davis and Sadie Cox Briscoe.
Joe was born in Conway, NC, on August 4, 1941. He grew up working hard after school in the peanut fields, and playing hard on both the basketball and baseball teams at Conway High School. He was also a member of the Beta Club and was a graduate of the class of 1959.
As a boy, Joe admired the local Conway pharmacist and desired to become one when he grew up. He realized his dream and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. For the next 40 years, Joe spent his life's work helping others from behind the counter in pharmacies in the Piedmont/Triad and back home in northeastern North Carolina.
Joe was an active runner, spinner and racquet sports player. He ran marathons, and was a regular at the YMCA. His favorite sports were baseball, basketball and hockey. Cheering on the UNC Tar Heels or Carolina Hurricanes were not about the final score, but about opportunities to create cherished memories with family and friends.
Joe was an amateur historian and loved to read about American history and politics. The only music heard from his car radio were the talk-show voices and classical scores on NPR. When traveling, there wasn't a museum that he missed. He loved researching his family tree and his native, beloved Northampton County.
During the last twenty years of his life, Joe courageously fought Parkinson's Disease. He did not let the disease define him, but rather used it as a motivator to spend more time running, biking, traveling, and spending time with the ones he loved. His spirit, absent from this world, will leave a gaping hole, and he will be sorely missed by his many friends and loving family.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 24, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 115 E. 9th St., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 with Father Pius Wekesa officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Davis Homeplace, 1031 Lake Rd., Conway, NC 27820.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Joe to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements are being handled by Askew Funeral and Cremation Services-Jackson Chapel.
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