Gloria A. Davis

GLORIA ANITA DAVIS passed away on December 8, 2010. She was 82 years old. Gloria was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the first daughter of George Washington Barnes and Ruth Alberta Barnes. Gloria grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she married John H. Davis, Sr., her husband of 43 years and lifelong companion. Gloria moved with John to California in 1980, and was a longtime resident of Lemon Grove.

After raising 12 children, Gloria began a second career in teaching. In 2002, Gloria retired from the Lemon Grove School District after spending 20 years as a Teacher’s Aide for special needs children. Gloria devoted her entire life to raising, teaching and loving her children, her students and all of God’s other children.

In 2006, Gloria relocated to her new home in Sierra Vista, Arizona. In 2008, she celebrated her 80th birthday amidst loving friends and family. In August, 2010, Gloria returned to California to spend her remaining days. Gloria will be remembered for her unconditional love, adventurous spirit, pure generosity, effervescent sense of humor and strong faith in God.

Gloria was strong in her faith and active in her church. Gloria was a long standing member of Saint Phillips Episcopal Church in Lemon Grove, where she served on the Alter Guild. After moving to Arizona in 2006, Gloria attended Keno Gospel Service in Fort Huachuca, where she immediately assumed her role as “Mother Davis.”

Gloria is survived by her 12 children, Debra Ellen Brown and her husband Michael, Amie Joan Davis Rudolph and her husband Jerry, Linda Allyson Brown and her husband Craig, Kathryn Susan Frazier, John Henry Davis, Jr. and his wife Sia, Mitchell Barnes Davis and his wife Patricia, Gwynne Anne James and her husband Tyrone, Todd Willie Davis, Sr., Joel Albert Davis, Sr. and his wife Betsy, Anita Delores Agunos, Drew Whitney Davis and his wife Carmen, and Carter Allen Davis and his wife Kasia.

Gloria is also survived by her siblings, Ernestine Clarice Bryant and her husband Napoleon, Millie Jo Taylor, and Ethel Delores Kohout and her husband John. Gloria is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, a multitude of nieces and nephews, and a countless number of friends that loved her dearly.

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held on December 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in the name Gloria A. Davis to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or 2655 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92108. Phone No.: (619) 299-4200.

Arrangements under the direction of Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, CA.