BILLY RAY DAVIS

Billy Ray Davis, 43, of East St. Louis, Ill., died of a gunshot wound Monday, Jan. 22, 2001, at St. Mary's Hospital in East St. Louis.

He was born Dec. 13, 1957, in Cape Girardeau. He attended Cape Girardeau public schools and had lived in East St. Louis since 1986.

He is survived by his father and stepmother, Clifton and Betty Davis Jr. of Cape Girardeau; a son, Mikele Maurice Williams of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, El'Shaddi Mesheuham and Micah Shekinah Walker, both of Cape Girardeau; a brothers, Clifton James Davis of Edgemont, Ill.; five sisters, Shirley Thomas of Chicago, Doris Jones and Carolyn Davis of Cahokia, Ill., and Callie Scott and Gestel Davis of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his mother and a brother.

Visitation will be from noon Saturday until the funeral hour at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Johnny Thomas officiating.

Burial will follow at the New Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.