Madie Mavis Davis was born November 28, 1925 in Cordova, Alabama to the late Maddie Louise Driver Smith and Reverend Menrie M. Smith. She was the 2nd youngest and the only girl born from this union. All five of her brothers Grady Murry Smith, Melvin F. Smith, Menrie Nelson Smith Jr., James Raymond Smith, and John Arthur Smith preceded her in death. Her late husband James E. Davis preceded her to the Kingdom of Heaven by 20 years. She was finally called home on September 6, 2019 at the age of 93.
Mavis and James met and married in Alabama, but eventually headed north making Cleveland, OH. their home in the mid-1950’s. While Mavis began her career as a presser for Carmen Lee, she eventually went on to work in manufacturing ultimately retiring as a machinist from TRW in 1991. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, and making memories with family and friends. Never one to turn anyone in need away, she especially liked being surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The sounds of laughter were often heard throughout her house along with the tantalizing smells of good ‘ole southern style cooking. Mavis made her home a safe haven for the weary and filled it with love.
She was an active member of Second Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church from the time she arrived in Cleveland until her health began to fail her. Striving to help the church in any way she could, Mavis served on the Usher Board, the Missionary Society, the Trustees Wives Association (TWA), as a Deaconess and was one of the original members of the Second Ebenezer Bowling League. She especially enjoyed singing in the #1 Choir. Mavis loved the Lord with all her heart.
Left to cherish her memory and the many life lessons she taught are her daughter Betty Arter (Roland); four granddaughters Donna Owens (Ricky), Danita Palmer (Eric Brown), Robin Martin, and Traci Palmer; seven great grandchildren Tenell, Darius, Candiss (Marlon), Brianna, Tracina, Dilan, and Braxton; eight great great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.
Proverbs 31:10 — 31 A Virtuous Woman
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