Obituary of Carl Draper Davis, Sr.

Carl Draper Davis, Sr. was born on May 6, 1954, to Audrey (Gaskins Draper) Davis and Augustus Lushington Davis, Jr. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Carl was predeceased by his parents and his older brother Augustus Lushington (Gus) Davis, III. He was also the grandson of prominent Cape May physician, Dr. Edgar Arthur Draper. Dr. Draper was featured in the book “African American Doctors of WWI - The Lives of 104 Volunteers”. This was something Carl was immensely proud of yet humble.

The Davis family moved to Moorestown, NJ in 1960 where Carl attended Moorestown Public Schools. He was a member of Jack and Jill of America. His musical talent blossomed at the age of eight when he began playing the piano. Carl graduated from Moorestown High School in 1972. He went on to study liberal arts at Fairfield University in Connecticut. After a year he went on to audition for and was accepted to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, performing a classical piano piece by memory. He left Berklee in his Junior year and traveled with his band “Bringin’ It Home” while working his “day job’ with his best friend Jimmy and his family’s moving business which took him on many adventures.

Carl eventually returned to college attending night school and completed his education graduating from Antioch University in 1985 with a BA degree.

Carl was a pianist/organist/choirmaster for many local churches over the past 50 years. He began first playing for the Church of Annuciation, then became the pianist/organist/choir director at Asbury United Methodist Church in Camden, NJ. He was the pianist for “Best of Friends” gospel singers based at Second Baptist Church, Moorestown. Later under the guidance of Reverend Charles Anderson at St. Paul UAME Church, Palmyra, they formed the Tri-boro Men’s Community Gospel Chorus singing at various churches in the South Jersey Area. After many members were gone, a few of the guys continued to get together every third Wednesday of the Month for breakfast. He found a devoted friend in Theodore “Teddy” Scott who would always remind him that third Wednesday was approaching. When Carl became ill in January of this year, Theodore showed his sincere concern with calls, visits to the hospital and well wishes. At the time of his passing Carl was the director of the St. Paul Gospel Choir at St. Paul UAME Church, Palmyra as well as the Musician at Mt. Zion AME Church, Riverton.

“Los” as he was affectionately called by his close friends, was introduced to his wife Lisa (Stradford) in 1988 by his childhood best friend, Michael Berry. They were married in 1990 and their son Carl Draper Davis, Jr. (CJ) was born in 1991. Carl, who grew up in the Trinity Episcopal Church, Moorestown, then joined Mt. Zion AME Church, Riverton, NJ. where he became the director of the Chancel, Senior, and Mass Choirs and eventually the Men’s Chorus of Mt. Zion. He was also the Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was active in Tri-boro Men’s Federation’s Second Sunday Breakfasts.

Carl was an avid bass angler and member of BASS ANGLERS SPORTMAN’S SOCIETY (B.A.S.S.). From the age of twelve he spent every weekend fishing with his best buddy, John Schultz. In addition to fishing, Carl was a “bookworm.” and a deeply knowledgeable bird watcher.

Carl passed away peacefully at Samaritan Hospice in Voorhees surrounded by his family and friends. Carl is survived by his devoted wife of 32 years, Lisa. Son, CJ (Yusra) Niece, Stephanie Fanelli (J.B.) Nephew, Eric Davis (Kirsten), Great Nephews, Beau and James Augustus. Mother-in-law, Marjorie Hunt Redfern. Sister-in-law, Ann Davis, Special Sister-in-law Yvette Pendleton (Tom), Sister-in-law Wanda Hopper, Brother-in-law, Simon Stradford, Jr., Brother-in law, Reginald Stradford, Cousins Lynada Coleburn Bryant, Nancy Christian, Diane Howell, Michael Randolph, Olivia Randolph, Marcia Randolph, and Marie Slaughter. An incredibly special young man who is “like a son” Greg Nelson. Devoted friends: Eric Ross, Michael Berry, Ginger Wescott, Eric Henderson, Robert Maines, Jim Schade, Bob Feltoon, Tim Savage, Janet Strainic, Judi Elwood, and the entire Moorestown High School Class of 1972. Countless other friends, relatives and extended family members.

Donations in Carl’s memory can be made to:

SAMARITAN HOSPICE www.SamaritanNJ.org./Donate-now

STRIDES AGAINST SEPSIS stridesnj.org