Keyonia Patrice Davis

And God stepped out on space, and He looked around and said, "I'm lonely —I'll make me a world." And on Friday, March 17, 1995 He created a beautiful princess, Keyonia Patrice Davis born to Erica Owens-Davis and Tyrone Davis. And far as the eye of God could see darkness covered everything, blacker than a hundred midnights down in a cypress swamp. Keyonia confessed Christ at an early age and joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Then God smiled, and the light broke, and the darkness rolled up on one side, and the light stood shining on the other, and God said, "That's good!"

She was nurtured, trained and grew in grace at New Bethel AME Church-Tyler Street and Allen Chapel AME Church- Swan Street. She was an active member of the Choir, Jr. Stewardess Board, and most especially the YPD. She served as the local President and Gaines Manning Williams Area president for 6 years. She also served as the East Conference YPD Recording Secretary.

Keeke, as she was affectionately known, had a love for drama and was well known for her soul stirring, award winning rendition of The Creation. She was a leading member of the East Conference YPD Drama Team and won numerous 1st place awards for her dramatic performances.  Then God reached out and took the light in His hands, and God rolled the light around in His hands until He made the sun; and He set that sun a-blazing in the heavens. And the light that was left from making the sun God gathered it up in a shining ball and flung it against the darkness, spangling the night with the moon and stars. Then down between the darkness and the light He hurled the world; And God said, "That's good!" Keyonia received her formative education in the Duval County Public School System, where she participated in the band. She attended Matthew Gilbert, Andrew Jackson and graduated from Jean Ribault Sr High in 2012. Upon graduation she pursued higher education at Florida Memorial University in Miami Florida.

Then God himself stepped down and the sun was on His right hand, and the moon was on His left. The stars were clustered about His head, and the earth was under His feet. And God walked, and where He trod His footsteps hollowed the valleys out and He said, "Bring forth! Bring forth!" Keyonia found her niche after finding employment with the City of Jacksonville. She was well respected and loved by her coworkers and all who came in contact with her. In June she was promoted to Sr. Permit Specialist and had already begun leaving her footprints in that department. Then God walked around, and God looked around on all that He had made.

He looked at His sun, and He looked at His moon, and He looked at His little stars; He looked on His world with all its living things, and God said, "I'm lonely still.” As an adult to fulfill her passion of service and Keyonia joined the PAL Community Board where she was noted for coordinating the eastside community trash pickup.  She then followed the direction of the Holy Spirit and united with Renewed Life Ministries where she worked out her soul salvation and served faithfully until her untimely death.

Up from the bed of the river God scooped the clay; and by the bank of the river, He kneeled Him down; this Great God, like a mammy bending over her baby, kneeled down in the dust toiling over a lump of clay till He shaped it in His own image; Then into it He blew the breath of life, and man became a living soul.  Left to cherish the memories of this precious soul a praying and devoted mother, Erica Owens-Davis; father, Tyrone Davis, Sr.(Karla); a loving and protective brother, Tyrone Davis, Jr.; maternal grandmother, Earnestine Clark; a host of aunts and uncles, among them Lorraine Lynch and Marty and Ron Adams-Henderson; many sorrowing cousins, including, Ayanna McCray, Irene and Kirk Johnson and Demetrius & Juwanna Allen; godparents, Pastor Larry & Dr. Barbara Brown and Veronica Martin; YPD Director and mentor, K. Mischell Glenn; and many heartbroken friends especially her lifetime friends and surrogate siblings, Dzestinee Glenn-Bland, Niles Bland, Jr., Shaunese Criswell and Sala Zimmerman; and best friend, Cymone Barber.   Amen. Amen. Amen.

Sarah L. Carter's Funeral Home Southside is serving the Family.

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