Durelle Davis was born in Chicago, Illinois in the Woodlawn community to Dallas Word and Izora Davis. As a boy, he was rambunctious and outspoken, earning the nickname Reverend. His infectious personality made the people in his life crazy about him, and his most memorable feature was his unique laugh.

Durelle loved his family passionately and wanted to see them all thrive. He also loved the Lake Park neighborhood where he grew up and formed lifelong friendships. He possessed a creative spark that fed a passion for writing. He created a number of poems that spoke to his inner struggles and dabbled in novel writing. Although he did not publish any of his works, he often shared them with his sister. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, the late Izora Davis, who passed in August 2006.

Durelle leaves to mourn the following loved ones:

4 children: Jhameela Davis, Janisha Davis, Durelle Jacarl Davis, and Durelle Davis, Jr;

5 grandchildren: Jada, Jazarri, Jakai, Ja'kia, and Niklaus;

He is also survived by his sister, Michelle Davis-Newell; two nieces, Michelle Higgins and Renee Holmes; two nephews, Pierre Davis and Joshua Marcus; four grandnieces; one grandnephew; and a host of cousins, aunts and uncles.