Barry Lee Davis

Barry Lee Davis, Age 58, of Florissant, MO. On Monday, June 10, 2019, Barry Davis, stepped from the confines of Earth’s photobooth into majestic splendor that cannot be captured by the best camera lenses known to man. Barry was born April 12, 1961 in El Paso, Texas as the youngest of three children of Dolores and Hubert Wesley Davis. In his formative years, Barry traveled the world with his mother and stepfather, John Hart, following his stepfather’s telecommunications jobs. Barry’s father and stepfather both served in the United States Army. His stepfather, John, was highly decorated, being awarded four Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct medal. Being raised in a military home, Barry joined the Army in 1979 at the young age of 18. He soon found himself stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, working in the finance division. This assignment made him cross paths with the colonel’s secretary, Regina President, who assisted with his check-in paperwork. He didn’t catch her attention though, until a few days later when they walked by each other in the hallway. Gina said, “As our gaze met, I immediately thought he had the most beautiful blue eyes.” Reflecting on the moment later in life, Barry was quick to tell friends that he noticed more than Gina’s eyes. And so the spark was lit – but both of them were dating other people. Gina soon ended her relationship, but Barry still had a girlfriend back home. Working in such close proximity and even being together after hours because of military life, Barry and Gina, played quite the game of cat and mouse. They would go on a date, then Barry would mention he had a girlfriend back home so he and Gina would stay away from each other for a while – and then go on another date. This process lasted about three months until Barry returned from leave one weekend. He saw Gina, pulled her into the rec room and said, “I broke up with her. Will you be my girlfriend?” They were married in October 1980. In April 1981, Barry and Gina were reassigned to Germany. While abroad, Joshua was born in March 1984. Gina adoringly referred to him as their little sauerkraut since he was born in Germany. But let the record show that Josh doesn’t find anything adoring about it! While stationed in Germany, Gina’s coworker invited her to a church service. Barry and Gina had been discussing the need to go to church, so they accepted the invitation. Walking in the church, they came face to face with a man who lived on their apartment building’s first floor on the army base. This neighbor was also the Apostolic preacher for this little congregation. Within a few weeks, Barry and Gina both had received the Holy Ghost and were baptized in Jesus’ name in their apartment bathtub. After that, their bathtub became the baptistry for that little congregation. In 1984 the Army reassigned Barry to the military’s finance center in Indianapolis, Indiana. While stationed in Indy, God blessed them with their beautiful baby girl, Corinne, in 1994. Barry taught Sunday school at Calvary Tabernacle while stationed in Indianapolis. (The Sanctuary family is very familiar with two of his students who now work for the UPCI: Bill Hobson, North American Missions’ secretary, and Justin Reinking, Youth Ministries secretary.) After a short assignment in El Paso, Texas, God directed their steps to the Saint Louis area in 1997, when Barry was stationed at the local military records center. A friend suggested they visit a church called Flo-Valley Apostolic. And The Flo-Valley, now Sanctuary, family is so thankful they did! Soon after making Flo-Valley their home church, Barry and Gina co-taught the senior high Sunday school class with Tom and Kelly Middleton. Barry also enjoyed teaching home Bible studies and showed interest in every visitor that walked through the church doors. The Lugos and the Francoises are two families that made The Sanctuary their home church because of the hospitality of Barry and Gina Davis. A few years later, the Davises started a children’s prayer group called KIDZ prayer, for ages 6–12. They also taught the 5th and 6th grade class and called them The World Changers. Only God knows how many children’s lives were changed through their teaching. Barry retired from the Army in 2000 as a sergeant first class, and started a new career with AT&T. A few years later, he casually said to Gina, “I’m thinking about starting a new hobby.” The hobby quickly became a passion and the award-winning Barry Davis Photography business was formed. The walls of hundreds, if not thousands, of homes display priceless treasures of moments captured through a camera lens and preserved on canvas, thanks to the skillful eye of Barry Davis. But beyond his passion for photography was his love for his family. You didn’t have to talk to him very long before you knew Barry was madly in love with his Gina. He stood in awe of her powerful prayer life and anointing and supported her calling without the slightest bit of intimidation. And he was so proud of his children, always quick to share the good news of their accomplishments with others. But beyond his words of affirmation, Barry also made time for his family. Corinne recalls as early as elementary school, Barry would take her on daddy-daughter breakfast dates. And these didn’t stop when she grew up. Anyone who walked into the hospital room recently probably noticed a ball glove laying on the bed next to Barry. When Josh came to town to be with his dad the last few days of his earthly journey, Josh brought his ball glove. You see, throughout life, regardless of the destination, when Barry and Josh were on a trip together, even on a cruise ship, they always packed their ball gloves so they could play catch. Before the trip was over, they would each take a pen and write the destination and the year on the glove. It just seemed fitting for Josh to bring the ball glove last week for Barry’s final journey. Barry is survived by his wife, Regina; his son, Joshua; his daughter, Corinne; his mother, Dolores Hart; and his sister, Susan Sprake. Barry was also loved and will be greatly missed by a host of family and friends. Barry was preceded in death by his father, Hubert Wesley Davis; his brother, Hubert Wesley Davis, Jr.; and his stepfather, John Hart. Visitation will be at The Sanctuary, 965 Anglum Road, Hazelwood, Missouri, on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 7:00 PM at The Sanctuary. Interment will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Saint Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 9:30 AM. The family extends a special thanks to Archway Funeral Home for their care and support during this time. In Lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to Barry and Gina's charity of choice TBA.

Barry Lee Davis

April 12, 1961 - June 10, 2019