Oscar Faye Davis

Oscar Faye was born to the late Oscar Wilborn and Faye Jones Wilborn on April 21, 1933 in Tyler, Texas. As a young child she was adopted and raised by her paternal aunt Lovie Guthrie and Willie Venoy Guthrie, whom she affectionately called "Big Daddy." Oscar Faye was "always performing," describing her childhood as full of music and dance. She attended Tyler public schools and graduated valedictorian of Emmet J. Scott High School in 1950, where she continued her love of dance as a majorette.

Oscar Faye attended Talladega College where she participated in the choir, Little Theatre, YWCA, and Student Counsel. While at Talladega, she also joined the sisterhood of her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. remaining an active and a proud Delta throughout her life. In 1954, Oscar Faye graduated from Talladega College with a double major in psychology and biology and remained active in the Talladega College Alumni Association throughout her life. She also completed graduate work in counseling and guidance at George Washington University.

Oscar Faye embarked on her professional career as a science teacher at Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia. She later moved to Washington, D.C. and sought federal employment. Despite her qualifications and education, her only entry point at that time was a Clerk Typist with the Civil Service Commission. Always pursing higher goals, Oscar Faye later accepted a position with the Agency for International Development as a personnel specialist. She later returned to CSC as a Personnel Management Advisor and became the first Black woman to hold a senior team leader position in the CSC’s Bureau of Personnel Management Evaluation.

In 1973, Oscar Faye transferred to the Department of Transportation (DOT) as an EEO Specialist, where she remained except for a six-month period in 1977, when she transferred to Dallas, Texas and became the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s first woman Division EEO Officer. Returning to DOT, in the Departmental Office of Civil Rights, she rose to the level of Branch and Division Chief. During her tenure, she won numerous professional awards and was a trailblazer, particularly for Black women. She retired in 1990 after 33 years of federal civil service.

Oscar Faye found the love of her life, Ira L. Davis (deceased) whom she married in 1983. Her prior marital unions, produced four children, each unique in their own right; Loa Meredith, Lawrence Brown III, Monique Michelle Hilton (deceased) and H. Eric Hilton, Esq. She also was blessed with two accomplished step-children, Dr. Iris L. Davis and Derek J. Davis. Oscar Faye was also especially proud of each of her eight grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in her children and her grandchildren.

Retiring to Newport News, Virginia, Oscar Faye continued to live life to the fullest by traveling the world and making wonderful memories with her beloved husband Ira, family and friends. Following Ira's passing in 1997, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to live closer to her family. For the next 25 years, Oscar Faye continued to live an active life. This period resulted in treasured memories with her children, grandchildren and friends to include many jazz cruises, concerts, family gatherings, birthdays, holidays and precious moments. In Atlanta, she also continued to serve the community through the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and as a long time volunteer with the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

Throughout her life, Oscar Faye was well-known for her impeccable and trend-setting style. She was also known for her abundant optimism, quick wit, zest for life, beautiful smile, infectious laugh, love for the arts, jazz and expressive dance.

Heaven’s gates opened to welcome Oscar Faye on June 24, 2022. She was preceded in death her beloved husband, Major Ira L. Davis (Retired) and daughter, Monique Michelle Hilton. A matriarch, sister and friend, she also leaves children, Loa Meredith (Matthew); Lawrence Brown III (Luvenia), and H. Eric Hilton, Esq. step-children Dr. Iris L. Davis, and Derek J. Davis and eight grandchildren, Clifton Ammons, Lauren Brown, Dr. Lena Brown, Marcus Meredith, Arielle Grace Davis, Zachary Davis, Hunter Hilton, and Juliana Hilton. Oscar Faye also leaves her sister, Diane Foster and brothers, Thomas Wilborn, Willie Larry Wilborn, and James Wilborn along with many other cherished relatives and friends to include her special niece Jennine Foster and her very dear friend Joyce Norman.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday July 9, 2022, from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 3150 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, Georgia, 30084.

**Services will be live streamed for your convenience on Facebook on the Floral Hills Funeral Home page.**

Your memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillsfuneral.com for the family of Oscar Faye Davis.