Roderick Gerald Davis

Bradenton, FL - Mr. Roderick G. Davis, 59 transitioned from his earthly life to life eternal on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Born in Wayne Co., he is the son of Alease Bell Davis and the late William Henry Davis.

Rod graduated from Southern Wayne High School on June 10, 1982.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, minoring in Physics and Math from Appalachian State University all the while being a valuable member of the college basketball team.  He went on to further his studies at North Carolina State University, receiving his master's degree in Analytical Chemistry.  Following graduate school and through his work experience, he went on to be a well-known and respected researcher in the field of mass spectrometry at Glaxo-Smith-Kline (Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC), The University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) and Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) and most recently at The Roskamp Institute (Sarasota, Florida) where his research focused on treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.  He has been published in multiple journals for his research and collaboration with colleagues and will continue to be published in his professional journals.  He often would present his work during his professional conferences throughout the United States. 

Rod joined Poplar Grove Missionary Baptist Church early in his youth under the pastorship of the late Rev. Robert W. Lowe.  He served faithfully as an usher and later devoutly served as a Trustee over the past 23 years, until his death.  He had an unwavering faith in God and knew the Lord as his personal savior.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William Arthur and Angeline Davis and his maternal grandparents, Maudie Mitchell and Bertha Mae Bell.  He leaves to cherish memories, his mother, Alease Bell Davis, his siter, Gwendolyn Davis Bowman and two nephews/Godsons, Jordan Nathaniel Bowman and Aaron William Bowman of Waxhaw, North Carolina.  Five maternal uncles – Kenneth Earl Bell, Faison, NC; Jerry Mitchell Bell (Joyce Ann) and Donnell Bell, Clinton, NC; Alfonza Lee Bell (Virginia), Dudley, NC and Richard Junior Bell (Tonia), Columbus, GA. Seven maternal aunts – Julia Faye Butler, Clinton, NC; Lena Mae Greenfield and Edna Grace Herring, Dudley, NC; Carrie Bell Sutton (James) and Annie Jewel Wilson, Goldsboro, NC; Delois Copeland (Thurman) and Ziva Darcilla Bell, Faison, NC. One Great-Aunt, Mother Mary E. (Lacy, Sr) Bell of Faison, NC. Two paternal aunts: Dorothy D. Howell, Goldsboro, NC and Mary Lee Stanley (Remus), Kinston, NC. Three paternal uncles and one paternal aunt preceded him in death, Rivers Davis, Willie Russell Davis and Douglas Davis (Sarah). Remona McIver (Kenneth). Special Friends: Jeff Dowd (Victoria) and his Special Goddaughters Brianna and Kristen Dowd and Darryl (Valerie) Person of Durham, NC; James Carlton, Mt Olive, NC; Linwood Robinson, Chapel Hill, NC; David Lawrence, Charlotte, NC and many other friends from his years at Appalachian State and Southern Wayne High School. He also forged a special bond with his cousin Andora’s husband, Jerry Hankerson. He also leaves to mourn his loss a host of over 100 first and second cousins, too numerous to name.

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