Known to most in Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community as Joe Davis, he was born Warren Joseph Davis, III on May 29, 1975, in Mobile, Ala. Friends and family released a statement to QNotes confirming he passed away July 6.
While no official cause of death has been released from a coroner, the statement says the 49-year-old’s death was the result of natural causes.
In recent posts to his social media accounts, Davis indicated he was enjoying a vacation in Provincetown, Mass., a tourist destination well-known and long popular in the LGBTQ+ community. Davis shared images of himself around the town at various nightclubs, dining with friends and even a chance encounter with gay celeb and performer Brian Justin Crum.
Clearly, Davis was having a good time, and quite likely why his sudden death came as a shock to so many. Known to friends, family and others in the community as a loving, generous individual who gave much, he co-founded the Hearts Beat as One Foundation (HB1) in 2014 and continued his efforts with the organization through 2022. HB1 has since changed its name to Hearts United for Good.
Davis believed his mission was to bring new light, new ideas and renewed energy to causes many Charlotteans view as paramount. His proudest achievements were co-founding HB1 with a group of close friends and helping bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to North Carolina. He was also extremely proud of putting together the Hearts Beat as One Foundation Ball in 2015.
The foundation’s provision of supplies and helping the homeless and those living in tent city here in Mecklenburg County, and helping animals in need in the community were other efforts are to be proud of.
Recent posts by friends and acquaintances on social media.
“Loved by so many, a giver, a community ally, a truly big-hearted person, working for the benefit of others, heart of gold, amazing spirt, unconditional friend, a bright light that touched so many, a fighter for the greater good.”
Perhaps the most poignant post read as follows: “You were a reminder that that there’s no greater legacy to leave behind than how you loved people and how you made them feel.”
He is survived by his father, Warren Joseph Davis Jr.; mother and stepfather, Carolyn J. and Dennis Tate; stepsister, Tami Ingraham; much loved best friend, Marty Miller; uncle and aunt, John and Patty Johnson; cousins, Katie (Ricky) Fields and Kimberly (Justin) Holmes; nephews, Noel and Christopher Hand; cousins, Dianne (Van) Whittington, Ellen and Hannah Thompson; and numerous other relatives. He also leaves behind his beloved Ava, an English Labrador that he loved very much (Ava is being loved and well taken care of).
While a barrage of questions swirled around Davis’s departure from HB1 in 2022, he posted the following statement to social media on April 22 of that year:
“These past eight years have been the most incredible of my entire civic career. I am immensely proud of our accomplishments and tremendous impact to countless youth, clients, neighbors and friends across Mecklenburg County. From the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the many years of augmenting and supporting partner organizations, to our pillar programs in Homelessness and Housing, Food Insecurity, United for Animals and Emerging/Emergency needs, [the] Hearts Beat as One Foundation has changed the lives of thousands upon thousands for the better. Commitment to service, at this level, is immensely rewarding, however it does wear on all of us after many years of working in this space. It has been an honor and privilege to lead the HB1 organization and work with the most amazing servant leaders on the planet. Today was my last. It’s time to hang this hat for now, retire and let new leaders carry the torch. Yours in Service, Joe.” ::
