LOVED ONE | Bishop Sophie Brinson Reed Davis
DATES | December 6, 1919 – October 31, 2011
CEMETERY | Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta, GA
LOCATION IN CEMETERY | Main entrance to back fence, right to shed, turn right, stop at the top of the hill, where you’ll find the lot on the left by the road.
FUNERAL HOME | Stevens Funeral Home, 215 East Martin Luther King JR. Drive, Valdosta, GA – t: 229 244 1717
Bishop Sophie Brinson Reed Davis departed this life on Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 at the residence of her sister, Ms. Dorothy Williams who had been her caregiver for the past year. Bishop Davis was born on Dec. 6, 1919 in Montgomery County, Georgia to the late Rev. Daniel J. Brinson and Mrs. Bessie Beamon Brinson.
She began her journey with God at an early age. Long before she became a minister, she traveled around the country with the group she organized: The Gospel Lights and sang on programs with many groups and singers that had become famous over the years in the music field. She was trained and ordained in the CME Church in Moultrie. In the 1960s, she was the Founder and Pastor of The Hope of Salvation Holiness Gospel Temple Church, Inc. of Moultrie. The church was later moved to Douglas. From the 1950s until the last year of her life, when her health began to fail, Bishop Davis had written the words and music for more than 2,000 songs. She wrote “I Need You Lord, Yes I Do,” (copyrighted in 1950, published by Jerico Music Co.). Continued with “One More River to Cross” and “Some Christians Talk Too Much.” She attended public schools in Coffee County, Ga. (Douglas), Colquitt County, Ga. (Moultrie) and Paine College in Augusta, Ga.
She was preceded in death by her two spouses: Mr. Henry Reed, Sr. and Bishop Freeman Davis; four brothers: Mr. Jesse A. Brinson, Bishop Daniel J. Brinson, Mr. David Brinson and Bishop Joseph Brinson; three sisters: Min. Willie M. Brown, Mrs. Sallie Bell Jarrett and Mrs. Mary Sardis.
She is survived by her twin sons: Henry Reed of Douglas, and Larry Reed (Margaret) of Tifton; four grandchildren: Brandon Reed (Vernice) of Lenox, Moya Reed of Tifton, Davida Reed and Bianca Reed both of Moultrie; five great-grandchildren: Kaylin Reed and Kason Reed both of Lenox, Jabria Reed, Jawan Farrell and Jmeria Farrell all of Moultrie; two sisters: Min. Bessie James of Waycross and Ms. Dorothy Williams of Valdosta; one sister-in-law: Overseer Linnie A. Brinson of Douglas; Also a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special friends and church members: Mrs. Queen Pittman, Mrs. Sadie Pittman, Mrs. Ester Buchannan, Mr. Charles Rogers, Bishop Herbert Giffords, Jr. and Evangelist Jennifer Giffords. Much appreciation to Dr. Joseph Thomas and staff and to the staff of Grace Hospice.