THOMAS B. DAVIS

Sgt. First Class Thomas Bernard Davis was born on Oct. 20, 1968, to Thomas Benbow and the late Betty Davis. He was adopted by his grandparents, Henry and Annie Davis, who preceded him in death. He departed this life on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in Killeen, Texas.

He was affectionately known as “Grip,” “Mutta Pa” and “Pa” by family and friends. Thomas honored his country through his dedication and commitment with 21 years of honorable service in the U.S. Army and reached the rank of sergeant first class with many awards and accolades. Thomas also earned his master’s degree in criminal justice from Central Texas University.

He leaves to mourn: his father, Thomas (Shirley) Benbow; six children, Jamara Baldwin (Jamal) of Augusta, Georgia, Kerry Wright of New Orleans, Dalvinus (Amyah) Davis of Sumter, Darius Davies of Dallas and Deshauna and India Davis of San Antonio; two sisters, Mary Lee Scott of Jamaica Queens, New York, and Tonjia (Tracy) Turner of Fayetteville, Georgia; a brother, Darius Benbow of Sumter; stepsister, Tonya Henry of Jersey City, New Jersey; stepbrother, James Henry Jr. of Sumter; one great-aunt, Mary Gilbert of Sumter; two sisters-in-law, Carol Davis of Jonesboro, Georgia, and Barbara Davis of Jamaica Queens; six grandchildren; a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and the honorable men and women of the U.S. Army and a host of devoted family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, with the Rev. Sammie Marshall officiating and the Rev. Phillip Washington, eulogist.

Interment will be held at noon on Monday at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at 1310 Covent Garden Drive, Sumter.

Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.