Lavel Davis Jr. laid to rest as hundreds attend ceremony to remember UVA football player
By Ali Rockett, Post Courier
NORTH CHARLESTON — The soulful melody from the choir reached its crescendo, nearly drowning out the agony of the family of Lavel Davis Jr. as they gazed upon their son and brother for the final time.
Inside the open casket lid was a quote from the 20-year-old man that read: "When I leave here, I just want to say, I was part of the change and I took a step forward."
Davis, who his family called by his middle name, "Tyler," was one of three football teammates gunned down by a classmate on Nov. 13 on the University of Virginia's campus. Two other students were also injured after a former player opened fire on a bus bringing them back from a play in Washington, D.C.
The UVA football program canceled its final game against Virginia Tech to allow the team to travel to the funerals of D’Sean Perry, Devin Chandler and Davis. The New England Patriots loaned its jet to the program. They began in Miami on Nov. 26 at Perry's service. The next day, they traveled to Chandler's hometown of Virginia Beach, before attending a celebration of life for Davis in North Charleston on Nov. 30.
More than a dozen family members, friends, teammates, coaches and clergy spoke of Davis' athletic and academic prowess, but it was his strength of character and love for his family that was the focus of the service at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.
The wide receiver was a member of the Groundskeepers at Virginia, a group focused on racial and social justice on the campus and in the community. He helped make a video used for training incoming students and law enforcement officers, according to Carla Williams, the school's athletic director, adding that his legacy will live on in that.
Williams also told the family that the university had posthumously conferred a bachelor's degree to Davis, which she presented to the family to a standing ovation.
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn said a tribute to Davis was also written into the Congressional Record on Nov. 29.
"It's not the length of one's life that gives rise to such recognition, but rather the quality of one's life" Clyburn, D-S.C., said. "Tyler's life was a life well lived."
Tydles Sibert, the athletics director at Woodland High School, where Davis graduated in 2020, told the hundreds in attendance of the words of encouragement Davis provided him when his father died several years ago.
"Turn your pain into your passion," Sibert said. "Let's live the life that Lavel showed us how to live. A life of service. A life of love. A life of caring. Lavel Davis showed us how to live."
Bronco Mendenhall, the former head coach who recruited Davis to the Cavaliers, told the crowd that Davis often counseled him. Not the other way around, as it should have been, he quipped.
"I think he would want me to encourage you," Mendenhall said. "I think he would tell us to keep loving, and keep trying, and keep trusting, to keep believing, and to keep growing."
Samuel L. Green Sr., presiding bishop of the 7th District AME Church, said his story shouldn't have ended this way. Decrying gun violence, Green called the crowd to strive to stop it.
"We take our stand today because we here are highly resolved that this young man did not die in vain," he said, his powerful voice booming through the speakers. "Let this be the day we take a stand. Let this be the day we make a decision. If you love Lavel, then stand for what he lived for.
"Not only did his life matter, but his death must change what we are willing to tolerate." | 
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