In Memory
Leon McKinley Davis
Jan. 11, 1948 - Mar. 4, 2007
SOUTH BEND -- Leon McKinley Davis, 59, began life as the third eldest of eight children born to the union of the late Evans and Laura Davis Sr. on January 11, 1948, in Boyle, Mississippi. Leon passed away in his home on Sunday March 4, 2007, after an illness.
Leon was educated in the South Bend Community School Corporation where he attended Oliver Elementary School and South Bend Central High School. After graduating from high school in 1966, Leon attended Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his degree from Coahoma Community College, Coahoma County, Mississippi, in 1973.
Leon accepted Christ as an adult and was baptized at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church where he held membership until his transition.
Leon is known throughout the South Bend community and country as a stand-out, star basketball player. As a basketball player at South Bend Central High School, nearly every college and university in the nation recruited him to become a student-athlete at their school. Leon's name appears multiple times on the hallowed pages of the South Bend Central High School basketball record books. Before graduating from South Bend Central High School, Leon was offered an astounding 88 basketball scholarships. Leon earned All-American status while playing basketball for the "Mighty Tigers" of Coahoma Community College in 1972. While attending college at Loyola University, the then-upstart Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) offered Leon an opportunity to play professionally. Ultimately Leon, preferring to adhere to the guidance of his parents, declined the offer and continued his studies. Leon later fielded an offer to play professionally for the American Basketball Association's (ABA) Memphis Tams. During the 1974-75 season, Leon played for the International Basketball League's (IBL) now-defunct South Bend Bisons.
Leon will be remembered by many for an array reasons. He was an intelligent, witty, well-read man with an uncanny knack to master numbers. He loved to draw just about as much as he loved to play basketball. His siblings will forever remember him as their homework helper and hero. Others may remember his prowess on the hardwood, yet all those who encountered him will remember his alert and calm persona, infectious smile and gregarious laugh.
When Leon passed on from this earthly world he joined his son, Terry Davis, his parents, Evans and Laura Davis Sr., and his two brothers, Fred Davis and Thomas Davis Sr.
Leon leaves many to cherish his memory including seven children, Michael Davis (Karen), Dwayne Davis of Ontario, California, Chris Davis of Muskegon, Michigan, Jerry Davis (Cindy) of Sterling, Virginia, Henry Williams of South Bend, Indiana, Kim Clark (Mark) of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Evans Davis of Smyrna, Georgia; 14 grandchildren; two sisters, Diane Perry (Joe) and Debra Wright (Ruben) of Norfolk, Virginia; four brothers, Evans Davis Jr. of South Bend, Indiana, Reverend Henry Davis, Sr. (Greta) of South Bend, Indiana, Fred (Sandra) McCoy of Kalamazoo and Robert Davis of Niles, Michigan; two aunts, Mary Hooper of Mount Vernon, Illinois, and Dorothy Spates of University City, Missouri; and a host of nieces and nephews, countless other relatives and friends. Leon also leaves three former wives to cherish his memory: Jackie, Rose (deceased), and Juella.
Visitation will be held at Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home at 2702 Lincoln Way West in South Bend, Indiana, today, March 9, 2007, from 6 to 8 p.m. The Homegoing Celebration will be held at Saint Paul Bethel at 621 Lindsey Street in South Bend, Indiana, on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a viewing one hour prior to the service Saturday morning. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery following the Homegoing Celebration.
04/15/2022 DEC
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