On June 25, 1936, God blessed the world with a precious gift, Evangelist Magdalene Davis. She was born to the late Fenn and Maebelle Davis in Greenville County, S.C. She was also raised by her uncle, the late Bishop William H. and Mary Davis. She received her early years of education in the Greer County School System. She graduated from Bethune High School in Inman, S.C. She attended Bethune Cookman University of Daytona Beach, Fla., where she began her studies in Nursing, which she later continued at Spartanburg General Hospital for Nursing in Spartanburg, S.C., and Carolina
School of Cosmetology of Statesville, N.C.

Magdalene was a Clerk of Courts of Iredell County, secretary of the Sheriff’s Office in Statesville, Teacher’s Aide, Special Education of the Iredell County School System, CNA Nurse, CN at Brian Center Nursing Homes of Statesville, N.C., private duty nurse in hospitals and in-home care for several years.

Evangelist Davis gained a love for Christ at an early age. It was then she was baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at Greater St. James Temple under the leadership of her uncle/foster parent, Bishop William H. and Mother Mary Davis. Her love for God increased tremendously and she was anointed to be a phenomenal psalmist and pianist. Her powerful voice carried an anointing that awakened the congregation into the divine presence of God, whether it was Sunday Services, Revivals, Conventions, even during Recitals, her voice pierced the hearts of many.

She and her family later moved to Statesville, where she became a faithful member of Greater New Mt. Olive Pentecostal Holiness Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Ora and District Elder Sandy Schoefield, and the late District Elder Robert and Lady Sallie Witt, and Pastor Carolyn Morrison.

She played a significant role and showed unwavering loyalty to both her local and home church in South Carolina as time permitted. So many were blessed by her many gifts and talents. At Greater New Mt. Olive, “Sister Magdalene” served many years as Church Secretary, President of both Junior and Senior Missionary Auxiliaries, Sunday School Teacher, President of the Pastors Aide Committee, Decoration Committee, Director of the Missionary Choir and Musician of the Church.

She was known for her passion to serve and entertain guests in their home. Her home became the Retreat for so many Evangelists visiting to render Revivals at the church, accommodating young people who traveled from Virginia to attend Jubilee Fellowships, and so much more. Out of this, she organized the Hospitality Committee for the church.

We are most grateful to God for granting us the privilege of our mother bringing us into the earth realm. Her walk with God was infallible, her relationship unbreakable and her foundation unshakable. One of her favored scriptures was “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) 

She was renowned for her exquisite talent in decoration. She ensured the church was beautifully adorned for every occasion. She undertook every task with the Spirit of Excellence, whether in the Lord’s Church, Community, or surrounding fellowships. With “Mama,” there were no boundaries to what could be accomplished and she cultivated those same virtues into her children and grandchildren, influencing them from their youth and into adulthood, of which they are continuing to fulfill her legacy.

She was a devoted and loyal member of the 24th Episcopal District of the Carolina State Council of the P.A.W., Inc., under the leadership of Bishop Samuel and Mother Grimms, Bishop William H. and Mother Mary Davis, Bishop Paul and Mother Emma Bowers, Bishop Edward and Mother Betty Roberts, and Suffragan Bishop Marion and Aletha Wright. Her tireless service in the Music Ministry spanned many years, including her roles as The Junior Missionary President and Musician for the Missionary Choir, as well as her service as choir director of the North Carolina District Missionary Choir.

She was affectionally known to her children as: “Mama,” and she was “NaNa” to her grandchildren and
godchildren, “Aunt Mag” to her nieces and nephews, “Mag” to her siblings and friends, “Mother Davis” to her spiritual family and Maggie by those who served her in the medical community.

As her health became challenging, she relocated to live with her daughter and family in Winston-Salem, N.C. It was there she embraced being loved even more and became the Church Mother of The Life Ministries Triad, under the leadership of Pastor Gregory Michael Butler Jr. and daughter, Overseer Madalene Denise Sharpe, for several years. Everyone loved her praise, testimonies, powerful prayers, sense of humor and pizazz.

The Year of 2018 saw a significant decline in her health, leading her to become a resident at Jurney’s of Statesville Assistant Living & Nurse Facility. There, she experienced a level of community, family, love and respect. We believe resolved from her faithfulness and service to God and others. From the Director of the Facility to the Nurses, Assistance, Young People, as well as the care of Hospice, she was known for being a “Woman of Strong Faith!”

The glory of God was exhibited in her walk as a “Beacon of Light,” pouring into the lives of both men and women at the facility, the love of God and wisdom in how to conduct themselves with dignity, self-respect and integrity. From her prayers, encouragement and constructive, criticism they now realize that the care they administer is not only a career, but a ministry.

“There will never be another Mother like Ours!”

She was preceded in death by four sisters Edith Mae Choice, Earlene Rich, Catherine Beason and Lucy Thompson; and three brothers, John Davis, Melvin Davis and James Davis.

She leaves to cherish precious memories her daughters, Madalene Denise Sharpe and A. Irene Sharpe; goddaughters, Thurba Ingram, Rene Saunders and Deborah Borders; grandchildren, Gregory Michael (Brittney) Butler Jr., Furlando Pierre Sharpe, Melody Joyele Butler, Allejah Janae’ (Davon) King, Shadrick LeShawn (Carrisha) Blackmon, Mytia Ingram, and Terron Saunders; great-grands, Dorez, Aiyah, Missouri, G’Shyne and Oliviya Sharpe, Emery Morgan, Elle Jolie, Jireh Grace, Shadriyn, Tierra, Janiyah and Sy’ere; and a host of god grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, love ones and friends.

Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family.