Funeral service will be 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Little Zion AME Zion Church; 120 Zion Lane, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460.  Burial will follow in the Little Zion Church Cemetery, Sneads Ferry, NC.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  James Edward Davis was born January 21, 1940, to parents James Anderson Davis and Clara McNair Odom, however, it was Artie Odom Sr., who embraced him with paternal love, nurturing him alongside his devoted aunts and elder sisters after the untimely departure of his beloved mother, Clara.  He often reminisced about the simple joys of his youth, like the winter days when his Grandmother Clara, whom he adored, would gently apply grease from the Shortening Can, to shield his face from the biting cold, perhaps contributing to his enduringly smooth skin.  At the tender age of 14, James left Sneads Ferry, first landing in Connecticut, where he worked as a busboy, determined to carve his path. Through grit and perseverance, he eventually found his way to New York City, a place he called home for 70 years.  In New York, James found not only a city, but a lifelong companion in his wife, Almersteen, with whom he shared 63 years of love.  Despite having only completed the third grade, his intellect shone brightly with an entrepreneurial spirit that sparked numerous business ventures.  'I can't, is not an option," he would declare, a mantra that guided his life, even as he approached his final days on this earthly planet.  To the children of the neighborhood, he was affectionately known as "Mr. Jimmy", a pillar of strength and kindness.  His spirit knew no bounds, as he selflessly extended a helping hand to those in need.  Countless lives were touched and uplifted by his generosity.  James is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Roselee Whitney, Benice Ward, Elizabeth Robinson, brothers Gerald Davis, Sr., Ervin Davis (Nettie), Eddie Hassell, Bobby Shepherd, Oscar Everett, and Michael Paul Davis, children James Edward Davis Jr., Tanisha Lane, and Mark Davis (Linda).  He is survived by his wife Almersteen, 6 Children: Arlena Brown (Dave), Timothy Lane (Helen), Lisa Shepard (Michael), Anthony Lane, Tandrea Lane and Christopher Davis (Katherine),  sisters Geraldine Odom, Alice Faye Sutton, Janice Davis, Palmer Hunter, Sylvia Davis, Estelle Davis, Ann Carol Davis, Deloris Davis, Garnette Jordon, Larnette Jones, Tranette Davis, Thelma Hardison, and Betty Bowben,  brothers Kenneth Davis (Brenda}, Robert Davis, Carlton Davis (Sylvia), Artie Odom jr., Frankie Simmons, Ronnie Simmons, and Lynelle Simmons.  James is also survived by his 29 Grandchildren:  Lawrence, Keisha, Damel, Ignacia, Shikem, Anthony Jr., Tiffany, Brandon, Aaron, Christopher, Shala, Tyree, Shalaer Letoya, Fernanda, Tanisha, Tayvion, Tanasia, Tamese, Jaquille, Shanaia, William, Lyndiva, Odom, Ebony, Tyrone, Kevin, Keyondria and Kierre, 29 Great Grandchildren, a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends, who became more like family, that will miss his earthly presence.

"Close your eyes now the day is done.  l know you're tired, but you've done enough let the evening come"