Grayling Davis

Deacon Grayling Davis was born on August 12, 1957 in Randolph County to the Late Minnie Mae Davis Dockins and the Late Edward Dixon. 

Grayling spent his younger years in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Cambridge, Maryland; and Cuthbert, Georgia. He graduated from Randolph County High School in 1975. After high school, Grayling enrolled in the United States Armed Forces in the Army. He served several years and had the opportunity to travel stateside and abroad including Germany. 

After an honorable discharge, Grayling lived in Miami, Florida; Albany, Georgia; Columbus, Georgia; and Cuthbert, Georgia. He was very talented and held different types of positions. He was an ice cream taster at Kinnett Dairy in Columbus, Georgia; a machine operator at Cooper Tires in Albany, Georgia; a machine operator at the Day Plywood Company; a personal care provider with New Horizons; an audio/visual technician at Randolph Clay High School; and a logistics technician at Georgia Feed/Tyson Chicken all in Cuthbert, Georgia. At Randolph Clay High, Mr. Davis was known to travel on the Senior Class trips, work with the Afterschool Program, and produce the morning news. In the community, Mr. Davis was a local disc jockey (DJ), a chef with his mom’s catering service, and a lawn service technician. Wanting to contribute to society, he faithfully served and worked for the Randolph County Democratic Party and the Randolph County Retired Educators Association. Grayling was a dedicated NFL Atlanta Falcons fan and cheered for them whenever they played. He was always so happy when he was able to attend games in person. 

Grayling joined the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church and was later ordained as a deacon. His dedicated work included serving as the Chairman of the Deacon Board, the Treasurer, the Superintendent of Sunday School, the Men’s Day Program Chair, and Secretary for SWGA Missionary Baptist Association Union #4. He even served as a member of the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church Choir leading songs “Through it all, I made it” and “Potter’s House.” 

Grayling’s outgoing personality made lasting impressions as a son, husband, brother, uncle, friend, cousin, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. Being a strong presence in the family, Grayling is given credit for naming his cousin Rhonda. During his time at New Horizons, he spent many years taking care of his cousin James. 

Grayling was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Dixon; cousins reared as brothers James Slaughter and Charles Slaughter. Grayling joined these and many more family trailblazers peacefully at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia.

Memories of Grayling’s full life will be cherished by his daughters Deauntria Davis of Albany, GA; and Glamour Davis of Cuthbert, GA; grandchildren Rodney Coleman, Jr. of Edison, GA; Raven Davis of Suwanee, GA; and Ever Lavette of Albany, GA; great grandchildren Za’Kariyah Coleman, Ma’Kenzye Coleman; Reagan Coleman and Kingston Coleman; uncle Robert Davis (Ruth) of Atlanta, GA; and aunt Karen Bussey (JW) of Cuthbert, GA; siblings Johnnie Dixon, Alonzo (Roberta) Dixon, Tiwana (Timothy) Flowers, Robin Davis, and Marquietta (Tamir) Reed all of Miami, Florida; and siblings Yolanda (Anthony) Robinson and DaRon Dixon both of Orlando, Florida; close cousins reared as siblings Mary Louise Daniels, Naomi Jenkins (Bobby), Linda Porter, Leslie Green (Richard), Alva Alston, and Donald Slaughter (Phyllis); a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, other extended family members, countless friends, beloved Starlight Social Club “Aunts”, church members, classmates, and colleagues.