Stephen Patrick Davis

The first time I met Stephen was 10 years ago this past August. He was riding a little boy's bicycle in our apartment complex parking lot in Athens, eating pizza, and laughing. The handle bars were turned backwards--I can still see it clear as day. It was late. And he was silly.

The first meaningful conversation I had with him was on Christmas Eve that same year. We were wrapping Christmas presents at Chris' mom and dad's house, talking about poop. Chris' dad overheard our shenanigans and burst into the room to scold Stephen and Chris for talking about such inappropriate things with a "lady" present. I never told James that I was actually the one who brought up the topic of conversation.

Stephen was (and will always be) Chris' little brother. He would have called Chris today to congratulate him on being officially done with Chemo and radiation. He cried the day Chris told him the news. He went to the alter at church every single Sunday and asked for prayers for Chris. He was a gentle giant. A humble man of God.

The love he had for his sweet, sweet wife, Dori, was absolutely incredible. Words can't even describe it. He loved her like crazy; adored her; treasured her. They were two peas in a pod. Crazy in love.

When God blessed them with Ludi Mae this past spring, you would have thought he won the lottery. He just beamed. "Proud Papa" doesn't even begin to describe it. His precious baby girl meant the world to him. Stephen Patrick Davis was one incredible man. A son. A husband. A daddy. A brother. An uncle. A friend.

We will never understand why you were taken from this world so soon.

We know that God's grace and mercy will carry the Davis Family in the days ahead. We are surrounded with love and covered in prayer.

Please, please pray for Dori and Ludi Mae. Dori is an absolute rock. Her faith is awe-inspiring. She is a precious child of God. Ludi Mae is a gift from above, sent by God to give her strength. We love you both to the moon and back and are lifting you up in constant prayer.

Please pray for his mama and daddy. His brothers and sisters. The Davis' and the Banks. His nephews and niece. Just tonight Austin called and asked to talk to his Uncle Stevie. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. He asked where he was and what he was doing.

Stephen, we all miss you so very much. We keep looking for you to walk through the door. To come down the stairs and ask what the fuss is all about. We know you are getting settled in heaven and we can only imagine what an awesome place heaven must be...

If he could give us all a little advice on this thing we call "life", he might say: Cling to those you hold dear in this world. Love each other a little more each and every single day. Adore the things that matter and disregard the things that don't.

Be still and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10