Obituary of Bishop Melvin Ray Davis Jr.

Life Reflection Bishop Melvin Ray Davis Jr. was born February 8, 1935 in Wellston, MO. He was one of eleven children born to Melvin and Martha Davis. His father, mother, and sons Melvin and Thomas Davis preceded him in death. During his childhood, he didn’t know anything about the Lord or the Salvation Plan. All he knew was that there was going to be a Judgement Day. As he grew older, he was introduced to the Lord and converted. He joined the Baptist Church and was called to preach in the late 50’s. After reading the book, “Receive Ye the Holy Ghost” by the late A.A. Allen, Minister Davis was determined to receive the Holy Ghost. During one particular house meeting, God filled him with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. In the 70’s, he was as an active minister of the Full Gospel Assembly Church founded by the late Bishop Lawrence L. Muldrow. As an active minister, Bishop Muldrow appointed him District Elder. He was later called by God to pastor. So, he converted his first rental property, a three-room house at 4578 St. Ferdinand Ave, into a church. This required much work, but Pastor Davis was determined to “build the Lord a church to dwell in.” He called it “Davis Temple” until 1978 when he was united in holy matrimony to Lydia D. Ross. Lydia was led by God to inform Pastor Davis to change the church’s name to Jesus Christ Temple of Deliverance (J.C.T.O.D.) and he did. This name was perfect since their intentions were all about salvation and sinners being delivered from sin. With the very small membership they had, God blessed them to not only have a church in the USA, but to also build a church in India under the leadership of Pastor Paul Pillai called the Indian Inland Mission in which many souls were being converted for over 30 years. In the late 80’s, the late Bishop Muldrow appointed Pastor Davis Bishop under him. Bishop Davis still was determined to “build the Lord a church to dwell in.” The hand of God began to move. Two vacant buildings next door to his church went up for sale and Bishop Davis and the church bought them. The Bishop was introduced to many architects, but plans after plans were rejected until he met a man name Mr. Lawrence who introduced him to Jason from HomeSource Custom Homes. Jason assured the Bishop that he will not be rejected this time. Glory to God it did! Bishop Melvin Ray Davis Jr’s sunset came in the early morning of January 20, 2020 at his home. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Lydia D. Davis; his children, Leroy (Charlene) Davis, Shirley Davis, Andrew (Joyce) Davis, Sherman Davis, Jerome Davis, Rachael Davis, Marvin Davis, Naomi Davis;his sister, Margot Davis; and a host of grandchildren, nephews, nieces, stepchildren, step-grandchildren, and his loving church family at Jesus Christ Temple of Deliverance.