Lillie Lisa Ward Davis of Southampton died on June 2 at the Hampton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. She was 98.
Born in Currituck County, North Carolina, on April 22, 1911, to Lillie Seymore Ward and John Ward, she moved with her family to New York City in 1925. The family eventually settled in Southampton, where Ms. Davis met her future husband, Daniel Davis Sr. In addition to their two sons, Daniel Davis Jr. and Olemphia Ward Davis, the couple also cared for and raised a nephew, Reginald (Cortey) Davis.
A member of the Community Baptist Church, Ms. Davis served diligently on the usher board and was a faithful member up until her illness.
According to family, she was a caring person, always willing to lend a helping hand; her home was forever open to anyone in need.
In addition to her children, Daniel Davis, Jr. and his wife Kathleen, and Olemphia Ward Davis, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Vickie Davis, Jackquelynn Davis, Darrick Davis, Shakerra Davis, Shakeema Davis, Shakoya Davis and Shákeem Davis; 10 great-grandchildren, Andre Davis, Eric Taylor, Tierra Davis, Danielle Davis, Rion Morning, Kristopher Jenkins, Donyá Davis, Donta Donagul, Valentina Davis and Phoenix Craggette; and three great-great-grandchildren, Andre Davis Jr., Kyla Eleazer and Naevon Jenkins.
She is also survived by a former daughter-in-law, Beulah Davis; a special niece, Bertha Ward; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her husband, Daniel Davis Sr., and nine siblings, Emanuel, Ethel, Louise, Hugh, Ada, John, Jewel, Napoleon and Gladstone, all predeceased her. She was also predeceased by a grandson, Reginald Davis, and a daughter-in-law, Deborah Davis.
A wake and funeral service were held on June 8 at the Community Baptist Church in Southampton with the Reverend Donald E. Butler officiating. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Jun 17, 2009