Ezell McDavid, Sr., one of ten children, was born April 14, 1939 to Edgar and Daisy Fort in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was a happy and comical child that earned him the nickname of ‘Jolly’ from family and friends. At the age of 6, he was adopted by his aunt, Olive Redic, and he moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He always talked about going back to Tuskegee to live on a farm and ride horses.

Ezell, Sr. accepted Christ at an early age at St. John AME Church.

Zeke, as he was called as he grew older, often told stories of how he worked at Shafran’s Fish Market on Central as a young boy. He still had that comical, happy attitude and a loud infectious laugh was added.

After attending Cleveland Public Schools, he worked for the City of Cleveland, Sanitation Department and Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. Yes, at the same time. He was a hard worker.

In 1967, he met Sylvia Whiteside and they were married in 1970. To that union, three children were born: Ezell, Jr., Evan and Shamara. He was a good father and provider. Ezell continued to work for the City of Cleveland, Division of Streets, until he retired at the age of 62.

When not working, Zeke loved to have fun with family and friends. He was the ‘life of the party’. He was not concerned with celebrating birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries. He always liked Southern foods…chitterlings, tripe, smoked meats, greens. His specialties were cooking pancakes, turnip greens and frying chicken. He didn’t like much television, just boxing, true stories, Let’s Make a Deal and America’s Most Wanted.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Sylvia; 3 children, Ezell, Jr., Evan (Asia), Shamara; 3 grandchildren, Kendall, Evan Jr., Ellis; 1 great grandson, Kylen; 1 sister, Marjorie; 1 sister-in-law, Dorothy; 1 cousin, Barbara Peppers-Tucker; 4 nieces, Jackie, Charisse, Sherry, Millicent; 5 nephews, Michael, Peter, Melvin, Charles, and Fred (Janine) and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

RIP Big Zeke, we’ll see you later.