Michael Anthony Davis

Michael Anthony Davis, age 62, of London, passed away on August 31, 2025 on his eldest daughter's golden birthday. Born December 12, 1962, in Peckham, London. He was the beloved firstborn son of Imogene Ionie Nicholson Davis and Carol Menton Davis. Michael spent his first nine years in London and then traveled abroad with his family to Jamaica. There he learned, becoming enmeshed "well and proper" in his Jamaican culture and heritage. From the music, food, dialect and history, Michael learned to appreciate the land of wood and water!

He alongside his siblings would rise early in the morning to complete tasks of feeding pecking chickens, attending to the cows and pigs prior to attending Victoria All Age School. He would later express a deep appreciation for what he learned agriculturally and about farm animals. This would set a course of him having a makeshift garden of some sort throughout his life in most places that he lived. He was a nurturer whose protective mindset led him to have a healthy respect for all life.

Be it animals, humans or mere insects he loved all creatures great and small.

At school, Michael was considered very bright, precocious and a leader. His was an unconventional life!! He left the Banbury district of Jamaica at age 16 and eventually moved for opportunities across North America, where he formed lasting friendships and embraced diverse experiences. He lived in Miami briefly where he worked for Jackson Memorial Hospital as an attendee. Eventually, he would return to Jamaica's Ocho Rios and then migrate to Discovery Bay.

Through connections he made, he had an opportunity to be a radio host presenter on Radio JBC (Jamaican Broadcasting Corporation) in the mid 70s. Because Michael had entrepreneurial aspirations and great culinary skills, he opened a thriving eatery in Discovery Bay called "The Woods". He was one of the youngest businessmen in the area at the time. Due to political upheaval and unrest he eventually had to leave his business and fled to Chicago in America where he would meet up with his surrogate family for safety. His gifted hands always ventured to create by building via construction or wiring electricity. For a brief time he lived in Canada amongst family and worked as a bouncer. He would return to Chicago and was part of the inaugural hires in the construction industry under Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black Mayor push to increase minority' skilled tradesmen. Hence, he was trained and became a union laborer with Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA, Local 1092). He worked for Rudnick Construction Inc. several years before moving to Atlanta,Georgia with his surrogate family. There he met his future wife, Valrie Kemp at a Juneteenth celebration in protest of the beating of Rodney King. After a sweet and yet exciting courtship they married August 14,1993. To this union, two daughters were born, Anastacia Chavela Carradice Davis Gilmore and Tatiana Ivana-Lee Davis.

On December 13, 2024, they were blessed with their first grandson, Ahmen Artis Moriah Gilmore.

Mike and Val opted to reside in Chicago as opposed to living in Georgia, a right to work state for more competitive wages. Michael returned to Rudnick Construction and worked in Chicago and the surrounding Chicago suburbs at various construction sites while attending Devry University.

There he studied to become an electrician.

After many years of working for others, he ventured out and launched his own business, New Vision Remodeling Construction LLC. He provided contractual services for The City of East Chicago West Calumet complex and private residential jobs. He created the My Block program working in tandem with East Chicago's chapter of the NAACP. He received a grant to teach youth construction skills to repair senior citizens homes in the East Chicago community. The youth received a stipend and for some of them it would be their very first job.

Due to many years of trauma to his body because of heavy lifting, jackhammering, operating bobcats and backhoe equipment, he retired from the construction profession. He had the privilege to work on notable projects like Grant Park garage, the Green Line train system, River East etc. In later years, he was employed by De-vine Landscaping, a company that allowed him to til the soil and get back to his roots of nurturing and beautifying nature. He worked there until he returned to the UK to care for his terminally ill mother. He committed to this purpose and process until her earthly transition occurred. It was always his desire to do something special for her and so he cared for her with grace, extreme patience and due diligence.

Mikey D, Zulu, Pops, Dad or Mr. D as he was affectionately called was community minded and had a huge heart especially for the youth and the elderly. He often worked alongside Valrie's in her literary projects as "Chef Poopa Mikey" a fictional character loosely based on him in her book series. He could be found in local libraries singing Jamaican songs, sharing his culture and cuisine prepared by his own hand. He was the catalyst and muse for the creation of Jamaican Mi Seh Mi ABC's children's books. Through the years, he and Valrie consented to share their family, home and resources with many children he did not sire. He was a father figure and elder brother to many youth and young adults.

His two daughters were the apple of his eyes and were the motivation to be their greatest protector and projector outside of God.

He volunteered at their schools from preschool to graduation, took them off to college, walked his eldest daughter down the aisle, created a fairytale nursery for his grandson and gifted his youngest daughter with a present that arrived in the mail two days after his earthly transition. He loved his girls! He loved his Val.

An avid enthusiast of life, Michael enjoyed many genres of music, even creating some tunes of his own. He was an avid fan of the Dr. Who series, Colors music videos, documentaries, action, thrillers, martial arts and sci-fi movies. He had a vivid imagination creating inventions, appreciating motorcycles,trucks, classic and fast cars. He loved preparing Jamaican dishes, fishing, traveling extensively and eating out. His palate ranged from Poke Poke, bubble tea, Popeyes Chicken, Old China Buffet to the fine dining of STK Steakhouse, Tortoise, Beatnik on the River and 3 Arts Club at Restoration Hardware.

He absolutely adored spending time with his family and friends,especially immediate and extended family. Most importantly he cherished studying God's word.

He touched many lives with his kindness,wisdom and wit. His lick shots of "Bup,Bup,Bup", and gut busting contagious laughter will be sorely missed. He was quite personable and never met a stranger. He knew how to bring happiness, create a vibe and build others up with encouragement.

He is preceded in death by his beloved mother, Imogene Ionie Nicholson Davis.

He leaves behind to mourn his two daughters who loved him dearly; Anastacia Chavela Carradice Davis Gilmore ( Larone Lane Gilmore, Jr ) Tatiana Ivana-Lee Davis, his only wife, long term partner and loving best friend

Valrie Kemp-Davis, and one beloved grandson, Ahmen Artis Moriah Gilmore whom he affectionately and proudly called "ChaCha Bwoy and Young King!"

Siblings,Winston Hugh Davis/ lfatunde Aworeni(Gbamila "Efun" Aworen), Stephen Ray Davis and Rodney Paul Davis(Rujina Athkar), Jordan Davis, Kamal Daniel Davis,Chantel Davis( Mike Emuchay),

Simone Davis (Robert Szabo) and Sophie Davis(Arman Yousaf-Nasari) Bonus siblings, Elizabeth Hall, and Tammy Wildgoose.

His loving aunt Carmen Gilbert of St. Kitts and Uncle Anthony Beckford of Wembley England, Uncle Roy "Timmy" Davis and Lloyd Davis of Jamaica.

Cousin June Scarlett of New York, Cousin Leon Gilbert of Germany and a bevy of adoring cousins in the UK, Canada,St. Kitts-Nieves and Jamaica. He was the proud uncle of Tenika Davis, Aletha Davis Nyemba(Thibaut Nyemba), Mahala Davis, Funmike Aworeni, Shola Aworeni, Yoriju Aworeni, Bonus niece, Thea Gallimore, James Davis, Imhotep Davis, Amara Davis, Zoser Davis, Shakeel Davis, Noah Davis, Shanice Lee Davis, Sheldon Stevenson, Elijah Davis- Nasir, and was excited to meet baby Szabo due November 2025.

Great nephews, Cassius Wynn Daley Davis, Omari Lee and Amari Lee, who grieve his absence.

His Godchildren, Chayil Henderson, Denzel Smith, Keon Brown, James Douglas, Daveon Funches, Tamara Magee, Shawn Rodgers and Keiran Canady. His long term surrogate family Leroy White aka Bobby, Jermaine Sanderson, aka, "Apache", his partner, Tania

(T.T.) Sinclair and their children will miss him sorely. Their term of endearment for him was "Uncle Chico". Surrogate nephews, Lavell Heath and Benjamin Pierce.

Delois & Curtis Dennis, Benita & Donnell Arnold, Pastor Donald Ramirez as well as Tammy Wildgoose & the late Val Heath, his longtime and abiding friends.

To all in his sphere, he demonstrated deep affection,unselfish service and unconditional love. He will be truly missed by all those who loved and knew him. His heart was big, acts of kindness grand and his life full and rich!

He loved Jehovah Jihre, accepted Jesus Christ as personal saviour and was baptized on 12/31/17 under the leadership of Pastor Donald Ramirez. Michael always exalted Jehovah God daily for every blessing and all His wonderful provisions. Psalm 106-109 were among his favorite scriptures that he meditated upon.

In his own words," Thank you, Jehovah for all your blessings."

And the Bible says in Revelation 14:13,

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

Michael has rested from his labor and his works follow him.

Rest Good,Rude Boy!!

Forever loved, Forever remembered.

You are one in a million with the heart of two lions!!!