Gladys Louise Davis

Louise was born May 1, 1929, in Lea County, New Mexico, to Austin and Clara McCullough, the first of two daughters. She spent her early days in Odessa, Texas. Louise married the love of her life, Roy Laverne Davis, on December 6, 1947. They enjoyed 55 good years together.

From her youth, she was a devoted Christian, faithful in prayer, and an encourager to others. Organizing prayer groups and being a part of building churches were among her greatest joys. Louise and her husband helped establish Pentecostal churches in Sweetwater, Big Springs, Pampa, and Canadian Texas; in Hobbs and Lovington, New Mexico; in Clinton and Yukon, Oklahoma; and in McComb, Mississippi.

In the final forty-six years of her life, she was an integral part of Tyler Tabernacle, in Tyler, Texas. Through the years, she served as a musician, Sunday School teacher, and Women’s Ministries leader. Perhaps she is most remembered for her direction in the weekly Friday evening Youth Service and later in Sunday School. These two venues offered ample time for her perspective of Biblical truth to be shared with those developing Believers who, in turn, later became leaders of faith in the local congregation and throughout Texas. Additionally, she and her husband were blessed with two sons. Their lifeworks as pastors and ministers of the Gospel reflect her influence.

All of her family and friends knew that she prayed long . . . and often. Even strangers meeting her in a store – upon engaging in conversation, would recognize the atmosphere of dedication surrounding her. She was a prayer ‘warrior.’ As a girl of around 12 years old, she would invite her friends over for cake and prayer; but the prayer meeting came first.

This pattern of prayer, both personal and in groups, continued for a lifetime, nine decades. As recently as the Spring of 2022, Louise began touting her desire to help build one more place of worship. While she did not know how it would be accomplished, she related to all, that it was to be named “A House of Prayer.” It was to be a place perpetually open for prayer. Although some would have considered the safety and necessary precautions of such a complex, Louise rarely accepted fear as a motivating factor. She remained focused on a place with a prayer room and a phone line open twenty-four hours a day for those in need.

This final ambition did happen; but perhaps not in the manner she had imagined. While she looked for a location, God was already in full operation in her House of Prayer. As those who know her can attest, her phone and heart were open to the request, and her voice was ready to be lifted in prayer for those needs and the people who brought them. She, herself, had become a ‘House of Prayer.’

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, Austin and Clara McCullough, her sister, Shirley Betts, and her husband, Roy L. Davis. She is survived by her two sons, Rev. R. Lynn Davis and his wife, Mary, and Rev. Ben Davis, and his wife, Pamela. Grandchildren: Daniel Davis and his wife, Alexandria; Melinda Davis Riddle and her husband, Bruce; Aaron Davis and his wife, Kyara; and Whitney Davis. Great grandchildren: Nicholas and Caleb Davis, Anabelle and Emberli Davis, and Brianna Riddle, along with a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Tyler Tabernacle Church.

Services for Mrs. Davis will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Tyler Tabernacle Church under direction of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, with burial immediately following at Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery.