Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Odell Davis was born on October 28,1932 in Centerville (Pleasant Springs), Texas. He was one of ten children born to Booker T. Davis and Pinky West. He was united in matrimony to Dorothy Mae Wynne on December 20, 1958. To this union, one son was born, DeWayne Orvis Davis.

He accepted Christ early in life and joined the New Zion Baptist Church in Centerville, Texas. He grew up working in the Sunday School and the Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.) early in life. He continued until he finished high school. From 1954 to 1956 Odell served in the United States Army during the Korean War. During this time, he served as a Supply Sergeant and received an honorable discharge. Odell attended undergraduate at Mary Allen College; he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He furthered his education at Prairie View A&M University and graduated with a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision.

After receiving his bachelor's degree, he taught at Pyle High School in Kaufman, Texas. He, Dorothy and DeWayne lived in Kaufman and were members of Bold Pilgrim Baptist Church in Kaufman, Texas. After several years they moved to Houston where he worked as a teacher at Patrick Henry Junior High School in the Houston Independent School District. Odell went on to become an Assistant Principal at M.C. Williams Jr. - Sr. School and Principal of Francis Scott Key Middle School in the Houston Independent School District.

Odell touched the lives of many students, teachers and other principals through his long and successful career as a teacher and principal. Education, both Christian and secular were important factors in his life. Some of his many duties in the church were Director of Sunday School, Director of Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.) and served as a Deacon for many years while attending Bold Pilgrim Baptist Church, Holman Street Baptist Church, and Brentwood Baptist Church. Throughout his lifetime, he was given special recognition awards for his diligent service. One of his greatest honors was serving as the Director of Sunday School for 20 years at Brentwood Baptist Church thereby receiving the Man of the Year Award for his service.

Throughout his life he had a love for reading and collecting antiques. After retirement, his love for antiques blossomed into a successful business that he shared with his wife for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Lue Ethel (Davis) Smith, Bernice (Davis) Brown, and Winnie Ruth (Davis) Jennings and four brothers, Melvin Davis, Alf Davis, Oliver Davis, and Thurman Davis. He leaves behind two sisters, Mary Lee (Davis) Jones and Lydia Mae (Davis) Mooney.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy Mae Davis, his son DeWayne Orvis Davis (Joydella), two grandsons, Jeremy DeWayne Davis (Desiree) and Jonathan Odell Davis (Cydney) and two great-granddaughters, Aria, and Eve Davis (Jeremy/Desiree). And a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends that will greatly miss him.

Odell Davis will be long remembered for his love and dedication to his family, church, and friends.