The minister who attended his own funeral while still alive

Jet, Sept 11, 1995 by Margena A. Christian

A Chicago pastor recently gave himself a "pre-funeral" after he said the message came to him in a revelation from God. Lucius Davis said the spirtual revelation didn't come in words but visions.

Davis, 81, said he pondered the idea for nearly two years before finally acting upon it.

The pastor said his age and health weren't factors in his decision.

"I'm just as alert as an 81-year-old can be since I've never been 81 before. I only have one complaint and that's vision," said Davis who has glaucoma.

Margaret, Davis' wife of 35 years, two daughters and church members couldn't conceive the idea when they were first told said the pastor. "I briefly talked about it with no description of what was going to take place. On the 20th of June, I posted a sign on my church," said Davis, a pastor for 45 years at Christian Valley Baptist Church located on Chicago's West Side.

In spite of the pastor's failing vision, he clearly saw what he intended to do on August 19, his funeral day. Davis chose this day because it had a special meaning to him.

"Customarily our family reunion is in August in the even year. I decided I didn't want to disrupt that. I came to the odd year in the same month," said Davis.

Nearly 70 people attended the prefuneral which began with a motorcade traveling from Davis' home to his church. The funeral cost him approximately $3000.

Dressed in a $250 tailor-made pastor's robe, Davis sat on the passenger's side of a hearse while the black and gold casket lay in the back. He used a rented replica of the style of casket that will be used at the time of his actual death.

The pastor did not speak but sat in front of the congregation as an observer listening to reflections made by fellow ministers. Unlike a traditional funeral, there were no obituaries. Instead, mourners were given a program which featured an "accountability" of his life. An accountability is a review of a person's life and accomplishments referring to the person in the present tense.

Few tears were shed for the pastor, who started his ministry in the church at the age of 24, except those of a 16-year-old who came from Wisconsin by bus.

"The thought of something really happening to him hurts," said Mwangi Vasser, a former member of the church. "Riding here gave me time to think about what I'm going to do (in life)," said Vasser.

Anita Hendrick, Davis' youngest daughter, was a bit concerned with church members reactions because she said many didn't feel it would be a church service but a time to glorify her father.

Davis was aware of the negative responses but held steadfast to his belief.

"Mystery precedes history. If there's no mystery there's no history," he explained.

Church members in attendance described Davis as "truly a man of God" and were calm throughout the service.

Arthur Reid Jr., president of the House of Branch Funeral Home Davis selected, said the request wasn't abnormal for a person in his profession.

"For the average person it would be a surprise. When I first started, it was like something you see in the movies but after the first one it was like routine," said Reid.

When Davis' departure day arrives, the pastor said as far as he was concerned he will have had his funeral. A native of Georgia, he wants his body flown there and laid to rest. Also, he wants his mother's body exhumed from its Chicago grave and sent back to Georgia so they can be buried in the same cemetery. His mother, Laura Richardson, has been deceased 18 years.

"I've submitted myself to the will of God. Should that be the last day of my life I'm submissive to the will of God. Should I live another five or ten years I'm still submissive to the will of God," said Davis.