Cedric Emden Davis

Dr. Cedric Emden Davis, LCSW, was born on December 4, 1946, in Danville, Virginia to the late Elder Toussaint Davis and the late Thelma VanPutten Davis. After giving a lifetime of service to God, mankind and country, Cedric departed this life on December 23, 2023, at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with cancer. 

His devoted parents instilled in him the importance of education and Cedric took their message to heart. He graduated with honors from Pine Forge Academy, Pine Forge, Pennsylvania in 1965. He soon matriculated at City University of New York and received his Bachelor of Arts – Psychology from San Francisco State University. He then earned his Master of Social Welfare degree from University of California, Berkeley, CA. Then “Doc” Davis completed Doctoral Studies in Psychology, Social Policy and Religious Philosophy at U.C.L.A., California Coast University and Evangel Christian University, respectively. Amidst Cedric’s strivings for excellence in education, he valiantly served our nation as a US Army Captain during the Vietnam conflict. He earned the Vietnam Service Medal, and a Bronze Star with Oak Clusters for heroism. Cedric also served in the National Defense Service. 

Along the way he met and married Brenda “Be” Neal. This union was blessed with a son, Cedric E. Davis II, who became a physician trained in Family Medicine, and practices world wide. 

Cedric, Sr. was a driven servant of mankind, determined to make a difference in as many lives as possible through psychological counselling and spiritual guidance. He rose from Licensed Clinical Social Worker to Chief Executive Officer and Vice President levels of Behavioral Health organizations in California and Arizona. His positions of leadership and service are far too numerous to mention.  

Cedric played the piano, sang and preached for multiple churches both locally and nationally. From early childhood, Cedric displayed gifts in music. He sang with his brothers from age 6 and learned to play the piano as a teenager. He even joined his brother Clifton to compose songs for Motown Records. “Doc” loved laughter and joy and he often revealed a brilliant wit and sense of humor. Cedric gave his love for others generously and his family and colleagues reciprocated that love in return. He lived life fully, spoke 5 languages and loved travelling around the world. 

Cedric “Doc” Davis is survived by Brenda “Be” Davis, his wife and best friend for over 50 years, his son, Dr. Cedric E. Davis II of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, , his son Waymon Toki and his wife Ika of Salt Lake City, UT,  his son Daniel F. Davis, his brother, Clifton Davis and his wife Monica of Lady Lake, FL, his brother, Toussaint L. Davis and his wife Rosario of Lancaster, CA, his sister, Lois Henry of Jacksonville, NC, his brother Carlyle Langhorn and his wife Beverly of Kenya, his brother, Sumner P. Davis & wife, Patricia of Dorchester, MA; five sisters, Kim D. Davis of Norristown, PA, Sabrina L. Nagel of Albany, CA, Yolanda V. Weinmann & husband, Eric of Hercules, CA, Yvette T. Davis of El Sobrante, CA, Yvonne R. Nobles & husband, Donald of Vallejo, CA; a brother-in-law, Alonzo Wilson of Saint Albans, NY; son-in-law, Pastor Jamie Hawkins, his dear friend, Dominic Paige and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a great number of friends and loved ones. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Myiia Sunny Hawkins, his sister, Annette Davis Wilson, a sister, Juanita Davis Jackson, a brother Oliver Davis and a brother, Aaron Davis and brother-in-law, Cornell Henry. 

FUNERAL SERVICE will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM 
Camelback S.D.A. Church 
5902 E. Camelback Road 
Phoenix, AZ 85018 (Kindly send flowers or donations to this address) 

INTERMENT – 2:00 PM 
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 
23029 N. Cave Creek Road 
Phoenix, AZ 85024