Born in the Spaldings District of Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, The Caribbean and deceased in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in the Middle East on October 4, 2024.

Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

I will sing the praises of your name.
2 Samuel 22:50

Derrick Tomlin Davis, 87 years old, long-time resident of Clermont, Florida passed away on Friday, October 4th 2024 at his new home in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at the Hospital. His family were with him in the hospital for three days praying for a good recovery but unfortunately, he passed away in the early morning hours.

Derrick came into this world on October 26, 1936 in a vibrant Jamaica and was the son of Ethel Johnson resident of Spaldings, Jamaica.  Derrick married Lettice Beckford on April 28, 1962 at Lincoln Kirk Presbyterian Church in Kingston, Jamaica. In their 50th golden anniversary year he laid his sweetheart Lettice to rest at Oakhill Cemetery in Clermont and will soon rest beside her.

Derrick's story spans continents and different diaspora. He was a resident of Jamaica before immigrating to Brooklyn, NY, USA, moved to Toronto, Canada in the 1970's and then retiring to Clermont, Florida in 2005. Derrick was a frequent traveller across North America and the Caribbean and later in life frequently visited Europe and The Middle East to be with his grandchildren; Lettice and Thalia.

During Covid, his daughter Althea brought him to live with her family in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Derrick spent several active years in the Middle East where he found a vibrant Christian Church community and welcoming faces from around the world who were eager to socialize with Brother Derrick or Grandpa Derrick as many affectionately called him.

Derrick had a humble beginning. This led him to the police academy in Jamaica where he learnt the trade to become an Auto Mechanic. This was his big break in life and he served in the Jamaican Police Force for a short time before immigrating to Brooklyn, New York with his wife and first daughter, Grace Anne Marie Davis where his talent was rewarded as he quickly got promoted to Supervisor of the Mechanics for Trucks in New York City.

From New York he and his wife moved the family which now grew to four with the addition of their second daughter; Althea Jacqueline Davis, to Toronto, Canada where they spent many happy years.  Derrick easily found employment as a truck mechanic supervisor and later became an specialize auto mechanic for ambulances working for the City of Toronto.

Derrick was a prominent member of Rexdale Presbyterian Church between 1976 – 2005 where he was a church choir member, a church deacon and a board member of the Rexdale Presbyterian Church Retirement Home. There he was a key decision maker and positively influence the development of the facility over a few decades. He relished in his church work and brought the same enthusiasm to his new Church Southlake Presbyterian Church in Clermont, Florida.

Derrick together with his wife Lettice decided in their twilight years to move south to Clermont, Florida and enjoy sun and tempered weather year-round. There they found a community and church that was welcoming and made them feel at home.

Derrick together with his wife Lettice were pioneering and proud member of the esteemed Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) in Toronto, Canada and members of the Rexdale Presbyterian Church (1976 - 2005). In Clermont, Florida he and his wife was members of the Caribbean American Association of Lake County (CAALC), and Southlake Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Davis is survived by his daughter Grace Ann Marie Davis, Montreal, Canada; daughter Althea Jacqueline Davis, Son-in Law Ben Rijnders, granddaughters Lettice and Thalia Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Derrick will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Lettice Beckford Davis at Oak Hill Cemetery in Clermont, Florida, USA after a funeral service.

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His Funeral will be held on:

Monday October 21, 2024 @ 11:45AM
BECKER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME,
806 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont, FL 34711
Telephone 352-394-7121
physical location and online attendance is available via

https://meet.google.com/gzd-gcdp-gxd

The Internment will be directly after the Service where Derrick Tomlin Davis will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife Lettice Beckford Davis at

Oak Hill Cemetery
801 East Avenue at Hwy 50