WILMINGTON — Russell Davis, Jr. of Wilmington, NC, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Russell was well known in the community through his legal advocacy and commitment to enhancing the lives of those in need.
He is a 1972 graduate of Hoggard High School; 1976 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and 1981 graduate of the University of South Carolina Law School. He started his career in Journalism by working for the Rock Hill Herald as a reporter and subsequently became a reporter for WNCT-TV in Greenville, North Carolina.
In 1982, he began his legal career as the first African-American Assistant District Attorney hired for New Hanover and Pender Counties. He subsequently formed the law firm of Davis and Davis, with his wife, wherein they served the community through private practice in excess of twenty years.
In 2023, Russell embraced retirement after serving as an Assistant Public Defender for New Hanover County for 15 years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 4925 New Centre Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Davis, Sr. and Joyce Cromartie Davis, and his sister, Angela Davis Strobert.
Russell is survived by his wife, Regina Floyd-Davis; sons, Justin Davis and Jarrett Davis; brother, Roderick Davis; and a host of extended family members, former colleagues and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Attorney Davis’ memory with a donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the American Civil Liberties Union in support of justice, equality, and civil liberties for all. Memorial gifts may be made at splcenter.org/donate or aclu.org/give.
