THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 1, 1996 TAG: 9608010408
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 34 lines
John Bernard ``Dave'' ``Bubba'' Davis, U.S. Navy retired, of the 400 block of Longleaf Road, departed his family Tuesday, July 30, 1996, at Virginia Beach General Hospital.
He was born June 29, 1931, in Wilmington, N.C. He served in the U.S. Navy for 29 years. He retired as a master chief/master diver. He was the second African American master diver in history. His portrait is displayed in the Naval History Museum in Washington, D.C. He also retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard after 12 years of service.
He was a much loved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Melba D. Davis of Virginia Beach; his mother, Tena B. Davis of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Phemya Griffin and Shafron Williams and a son, Kiah Davis, all of Virginia Beach; four grandchildren, Melthres Etheridge, Martez Haynes, and Isaiah Williams of Virginia Beach, Bionca Davis of Colombia, S.C.; five sisters, Lydia Braye, Helen Pennington, and Iva Boslough of Wilmington, Barbara Davis of Alabama, and Mary Alice Chambers of Missouri; a son-in-law, Derek L. Williams; three sisters-in-law, Cora Lee Albury and Doris Taylor of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Norma Gillispie of Charleston, S.C.; three brothers-in-law, James Braye and Malcom Pennington of Wilmington, and Gilson Sears of Key West, Fla.; two god children and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held in New Hope Baptist Church, 395 Old Greatneck Road, Virginia Beach, Saturday at 2 p.m. The Rev. E. Ray Cox will be presiding. Graves Funeral Home, Norfolk, is in charge. The family will be at the residence. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB