Obituary of Clarence Maxwell Davis

As bells rang in Heaven, the clock stopped on earth for Clarence Maxwell Davis who passed over into God’s loving arms on July 10, 2023. He was affectionately known as “Pete” and was born on January 17, 1927 to the late Robert and Sadie (Swope) Davis in Alderson, West Virginia. He was the eighth of ten children. Clarence was raised and educated in West Virginia. At the age of nine, he was baptized as a member of Shiloh Baptist Church of Alderson. He attended the former Bolling High School where he was a star football player. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. While serving honorably in this branch of the military, he transferred in 1947 to become a charter member of the newly formed U.S. Air force. Upon being honorably discharged from the USAF, he attended West Virginia State Teachers College and later graduated from Bluefield State Teachers college, receiving a B.S. in Business Education. On December 8, 1949, Clarence married his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Lavera Daniels. God blessed their union with a daughter Cheryl Ann. They remained married for an amazing 69 years until her passing on January 18, 2019. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by their infant son Robert Lester. Shortly after their marriage they relocated from West Virginia to Philadelphia. Then in 1965 they moved to Somerdale, NJ where they remained for the rest of their lives. He used his time and talents to bless others in ways both great and small. In 1967, he was one of the founding members of Bethany Baptist Church. Bethany served the community of Somerdale for over 25 years. In 1995, the Lord moved him and his wife to Grace Temple Baptist Church in Lawnside where he was accepted as a member of the Deacon Board. He studied God's word faithfully. Clarence's greatest belief was to "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14. where he was accepted as a member of the Deacon Board. He studied God’s word faithfully. Clarence’s greatest belief was to “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14. Professionally, Clarence held positions in the Philadelphia School System, the U. S. Army Ordinance Division, the Camden Board of Education, and was an Assistant professor at Rutgers University where he received a Master in Education in Administration and Supervision. He was inducted into the Kappa Delta PI National Honor Society in Education and received the Rutgers University Merit Award in recognition of his contribution to the University. He also served as the Principal for the Lawnside School District. After retirement Clarence worked as the part-time Municipal Welfare Director for the Borough of Somerdale. Clarence will be remembered for his service to others in the community. He was a charter member of the Lions Club of Lawnside, a member of the Prince Hall Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, and named Laymen of the year by the Bethany Baptist Association. In addition, he was a member of the Bluefield State College Alumni Association and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.