Kenneth L. Davis

Mr. Kenneth Lamar Davis, age 58, of Detroit, Michigan, passed away Tuesday night, June 15, 2021. He was born June 2, 1963, in Macon County in Alabama, a son of the late Elijah Davis and Ruby Nell Burch. Whether you called him Ken, Kenny, Mr. Ken, Mr. Davis, Little Kenny, or Big Kenny, he was just a fantastic guy with a big heart!

Having suffered two strokes and fighting stage 4 lung cancer, Anyone else would have gone quietly into the night, but not Kenny. He was surrounded by his care team listening to what would become his favorite song, "Girl Put Your Records On," by Corrine Bailey Rae, blazing from his iPad, which starts:

Three little birds sat on my window
And they told me I don't need to worry
Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet
Little girls, double-dutch on the concrete
Maybe sometimes we got it wrong, but it's all right
The more things seem to change, the
more they stay the same
Ooh, don't you hesitate
Girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song
You go ahead, let your hair down

See, There was Not much for Kenny to worry about because he understood Where his provision came from. He was in touch with nature and trusted God, which gave him peace until the very end. Kenny loved this place on earth but knew God had prepared a more loving home for him and went willingly after a long-fought battle. The way he died is just like he lived. He paved his way. Persevered and showed Steadfast strength. And if you said he couldn't do it, it was his mission to prove you wrong!

As a very young man, he learned to work hard and take on whatever job was available to support himself. He worked in landscaping, did minor home repairs, hauling, organizing, and cleaning, if necessary. He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important — the simplicity of living a life without boundaries and not getting caught up in the Minutiae of everyday living which made him the most pleasant person to be around.

Kenny was a lover of animals, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. He enjoyed getting up early in the morning to watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee and a few friends in tow so that he could be the first to watch the birds and people go about their day. Getting up early also allowed him to take jobs if Anyone called requesting his help for the day; Kenny was always ready to work! He hated sitting still and outpaced the younger players on any job. He enjoyed listening to music, dancing, Barbecuing, and making southern cuisine. A southern gentleman who opened doors for ladies, the elderly, and even a man much stronger if his hands were full!
He was funny, outgoing, and always willing to lend a helping hand without hesitation.

Kenny never met a stranger. Every person in the world, to him, was just a friend he hadn't met yet. Kenny always saw the good in people. Sometimes, that's all he would see, even if no one else could see it. This philosophy allowed him to create lasting friendships and family that would transcend bloodlines. But, make no mistake about it, if you ever mistook his kindness for weakness, you'll find yourself on his lousy side where you may get told a few things about yourself in a not so good way, maybe your phone call would not be answered or returned or that short basic hand wave and that famous "Unh, Unh!" The thing is, you always knew where you stood with Kenny. If you were lucky enough to call him friend, you had a good friend indeed!

We will never forget his infectious smile, distinct voice, unique storytelling, brown eyes with a piercing blue ring, and caring personality. His presence in our lives will be sorely missed.
When you think of Kenny, celebrate the good memories you have of him. Remember that life is fragile and finite and should be lived to the fullest! Remember always to offer a helping hand and rarely say No to those you love.

Offer a kind word to someone, perhaps cook his last requested meal of macaroni and cheese, baked chicken, candy yams, baby lima beans, cornbread, collard greens with ham hocks, and invite family and friends over for an impromptu dinner. Plant a garden or tree in his honor, have a spa day like he planned to do with me, mop your floors with Pine-Sol but make sure it is the original, have an enormous bowl of ice cream and a cupcake, it doesn't matter the flavor. Blaze a joint and create some holy smoke in his honor; never be afraid to get your hands a little dirty, and always extend that same hand to those in need! And here's what he would want for each one of you: He would like every one of you to Get your Dreams, just as he had, let your hair down while doing it, and always carry you a little pocket knife just in case; it goes down!

He leaves to cherish his memory a host of family and friends who loved him dearly.