Funeral Information
Location:
Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories
Date: 09-26-2025
Time: 02:00 PM
Time: 02:00 PM
Visitation Information
Location:
Ruby Funeral Services & Crematories 1520 East Washington Street, Springfield, Illinois 62703
Date: 09-26-2025
Time: 01:00 PM
Time: 01:00 PM
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Obituary
Michael Christopher Davis was born on November 1, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, to Nellie and Marcellus Davis.
Michael was a rambunctious toddler who loved fun and adventure. He graduated from O’Keeffe Elementary School and attended Hyde Park High school. Michael loved the game of basketball and was a very good player in high school. Michael was book-smart and street-smart. Although he didn’t finish high school, he actually took the GED test and passed it without studying the prep material and was accepted to Savannah State University, where he attended for a short time. In 1986, he married the love of his life, Sandra Rose Johnson. They had four children, Michael Jr, Danielle, Marscia, and Grayson “Tino”.
Michael held many jobs throughout his life. He was a painter, did yard work and other odd jobs, and he actually considered being a minister at one time. But Michael was most proud of his career as an OTR (over the road) truck driver. He earned his CDL license and drove trucks all over the country for several years.
Michael was also affectionately named the “Mayor of 71st Street” because of the time he spent socializing in the South Shore neighborhood and all of his adventures over the years. Anyone familiar with East 71st knew Michael, and he had the 411 on everybody. Michael was relatable to everyone no matter their walk of life. He would chat with judges, doctors, teachers, and politicians, as well as his “constituents” on 71st street. He even bragged that back in the day a guy who introduced himself as Barack bought him a Snapple juice as a kind gesture at the store (of course) on 71st street, who later became President Barack Obama.
Like a cat, Michael literally lived nine lives and experienced many life challenges that most would not survive, but he somehow persevered through these hard times. In recent years, Michael made a life change by successfully completing the Life House program and was hired at a manufacturing company in Joliet, Illinois. He later moved from Chicago to Springfield, Illinois, to be closer to family.
Despite all of his life challenges, Michael was very kind-hearted and fun-loving. Michael was proud of his children and loved his family near and far. He loved to have a good time—sometimes too much of a good time—but nonetheless, he liked to socialize, dancing or steppin’ across the dance floor, enjoying a beer, and lots of joking around and banter. While stoically battling health challenges for several months, Michael transitioned peacefully in his sleep on September 18, 2025, at his home. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Nellie and Marcellus Davis.
He is survived by his children, Michael C. (Marita Brown) Davis, Jr., Danielle (Jeremy) Taylor, Marscia (Tirell) Anderson, and Grayson Davis; grandchildren, Gabrielle Taylor, Sydney Taylor, and Zoey Brown; beloved sisters, Cynthia (Mandel) Smith and Debra (Chris) Davis Johnson; nieces and nephew, Madison, Morgan, and Miles Smith; cousins, Pamela (Darryl) Moore and family, Lamont Kelly, Joseph (Roweena) Hudson, Mrs. Ronnie Spencer, and Kimmy Conway (Georgia family); uncle, Robert (Ruth) Davis; aunt, Karen (JW) Bussey; cousins, Mary Louise Daniels, Michael (Jacquetta) Montgomery, Carl Davis, Anthony Davis, Naomi (Bobby) Jenkins, Dr. Traci Jenkins, Theron Jenkins, Chandra (Hosea) McCrary, Linda Porter, Dr. Rhonda “Tina” Porter, Donald (Phyllis) Slaughter, Leslie (Richard) Green and family, Alva Alston, and Brenda Davis; and many other family members and friends. He also leaves behind his lifetime best friend, Craig Williams, and his sister, Sallece Williams.
Michael was a rambunctious toddler who loved fun and adventure. He graduated from O’Keeffe Elementary School and attended Hyde Park High school. Michael loved the game of basketball and was a very good player in high school. Michael was book-smart and street-smart. Although he didn’t finish high school, he actually took the GED test and passed it without studying the prep material and was accepted to Savannah State University, where he attended for a short time. In 1986, he married the love of his life, Sandra Rose Johnson. They had four children, Michael Jr, Danielle, Marscia, and Grayson “Tino”.
Michael held many jobs throughout his life. He was a painter, did yard work and other odd jobs, and he actually considered being a minister at one time. But Michael was most proud of his career as an OTR (over the road) truck driver. He earned his CDL license and drove trucks all over the country for several years.
Michael was also affectionately named the “Mayor of 71st Street” because of the time he spent socializing in the South Shore neighborhood and all of his adventures over the years. Anyone familiar with East 71st knew Michael, and he had the 411 on everybody. Michael was relatable to everyone no matter their walk of life. He would chat with judges, doctors, teachers, and politicians, as well as his “constituents” on 71st street. He even bragged that back in the day a guy who introduced himself as Barack bought him a Snapple juice as a kind gesture at the store (of course) on 71st street, who later became President Barack Obama.
Like a cat, Michael literally lived nine lives and experienced many life challenges that most would not survive, but he somehow persevered through these hard times. In recent years, Michael made a life change by successfully completing the Life House program and was hired at a manufacturing company in Joliet, Illinois. He later moved from Chicago to Springfield, Illinois, to be closer to family.
Despite all of his life challenges, Michael was very kind-hearted and fun-loving. Michael was proud of his children and loved his family near and far. He loved to have a good time—sometimes too much of a good time—but nonetheless, he liked to socialize, dancing or steppin’ across the dance floor, enjoying a beer, and lots of joking around and banter. While stoically battling health challenges for several months, Michael transitioned peacefully in his sleep on September 18, 2025, at his home. He will be missed, but his spirit will live on.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Nellie and Marcellus Davis.
He is survived by his children, Michael C. (Marita Brown) Davis, Jr., Danielle (Jeremy) Taylor, Marscia (Tirell) Anderson, and Grayson Davis; grandchildren, Gabrielle Taylor, Sydney Taylor, and Zoey Brown; beloved sisters, Cynthia (Mandel) Smith and Debra (Chris) Davis Johnson; nieces and nephew, Madison, Morgan, and Miles Smith; cousins, Pamela (Darryl) Moore and family, Lamont Kelly, Joseph (Roweena) Hudson, Mrs. Ronnie Spencer, and Kimmy Conway (Georgia family); uncle, Robert (Ruth) Davis; aunt, Karen (JW) Bussey; cousins, Mary Louise Daniels, Michael (Jacquetta) Montgomery, Carl Davis, Anthony Davis, Naomi (Bobby) Jenkins, Dr. Traci Jenkins, Theron Jenkins, Chandra (Hosea) McCrary, Linda Porter, Dr. Rhonda “Tina” Porter, Donald (Phyllis) Slaughter, Leslie (Richard) Green and family, Alva Alston, and Brenda Davis; and many other family members and friends. He also leaves behind his lifetime best friend, Craig Williams, and his sister, Sallece Williams.