Submitted by: Dan Rich

Laura Davis

Aug. 25, 1926 - Jan. 22, 1999

South Bend Tribune 1/28/1999

Laura Davis of Ruleville, Miss., formerly of South Bend, Ind., passed away on Friday, Jan. 22, in her home. She was born on Aug. 25, 1926 in Doddsville, Miss. to the union of Pompey and Julia (Hooper) Giger.

On July 5, 1942, she married Evans Davis, Sr. in Leland, Miss. They moved to South Bend in July 1949 where she resided until returning to Ruleville in 1996. Laura was a member of Christian Standing-Up for Jesus Any Denomination Church of Shaw, Miss. She was also a charter member of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church of South Bend where she was Past President of the Youth Department, a member of the Senior, and Pastor's Aid. In past years, she had been a member of the Urban League of Saint Joseph County. Laura was employed by Memorial Hospital from 1950 to 1975, and by the City of South Bend, Code Enforcement until July of 1992, from which she retired after seventeen years of service. At that time, she was presented with the Key-to-the-City by then Mayor Kernan.

She is survived by two daughters, Diane Yvonne (Joe L.) Perry of South Bend and Debra Ann (Garner Ruben) Wright of Camp LeJeune, N.C.; five sons, Evans Jr., Freddie Lee (Patricia), Leon, Rev. Henry Davis, Lee (Greta), and Robert Earl, all of South Bend; forty-six grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Hooper of Mt. Vernon, Ill.; a brother, Rufus Hooper of Cleveland, Miss.; her loving companion, Mr. Levy Sharkey of Ruleville; and by her best friend, Mae Moody of South Bend. She was preceded in death by her husband, Evans Davis, Sr. on April 19, 1973; a baby daughter, Birder Leigh; a son, Thomas Evans on Nov. 21, 1990; and by a sister and five brothers.

Mother, you lived and loved as Jesus said. Your work is done. Your love and strength and spirit, your kind words and deeds, will live on in the hearts of your friends and family. We know you are with Jesus. We love you dearly but God loves you best.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. at Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church followed by burial at Highland Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Clark-O'Neal Funeral Home.