Harriet Moore Davis

NASHVILLE - Harriet Moore Davis, affectionately known by some as Mimi, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday January 29th, 2013. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 53 years, Gerald Davis; her son Glenn Davis of Rocky Mount, NC; her daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Andy Lewis of Rocky Mount; her sister Christine Edwards and her family of Nashville, NC; her sister Jane Moseley and her family of Red Oak, NC; her brother-in-law Richard Davis of Nashville, NC; her uncle Jimmy Moore and wife Ann of Williamsburg, VA; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. She was preceded in death by her parents Preston and Eva Moore; her son Steven Davis; and her granddaughter Caitlin Davis.
Born in Rocky Mount September 6th, 1938, she married in 1960 and moved to Maryland to raise her family. She quickly made new friends and raised her family as a doting mother, wife, and homemaker. Family was important to her and she passed that value on to her children. Fairness, equality, and justice were important to her. She had no equal when you needed a strong advocate on your side. And never giving up – no matter what the obstacle – was important to her. She lived that philosophy every day.
In 1978 she was stricken with Syringomyelia – a rare and painful degenerative disease of the spinal column. After her diagnosis, she dedicated herself to helping others with the disorder. Years later, she discovered the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project (ASAP). She joined the national organization and became one of its most determined and effective activists by increasing awareness of the organization; informing the public about the disease; and reaching out to other sufferers through newspaper interviews and television appearances.
Within a year she was elected to the ASAP Board of Directors and upon which she served from 1991 - 1997. She was voted Board Member of the Year in 1992 and 1993. She was even invited to the White House to meet with then First Lady Barbara Bush to discuss increasing research funds for the disease. She also received a Volunteer Action Award from President Bill Clinton; citations from the Governor of Maryland and the Governor of Texas; and awards from the State of Maryland and Prince George's County, MD for her outstanding service to citizens; leadership; and volunteer work. She was elected into the Prince George's County Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
While these were major accomplishments, they were merely a small part of the unique and beautiful person she was. She had an inner strength that was contagious. She was the living embodiment of the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us".Nothing could stop her. She was tenacious and determined and victorious in her struggles.
No matter what she did... or who she did it with, she was thoughtful; she was interested; she was encouraging; and she did for others without question. Because that was her true nature... a giver... a kind and caring spirit who wanted to do for others and could always put herself in the shoes of others.
She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. A living example of good virtue. She believed in, and instilled values in others such as compassion, empathy, kindness, and the value of communication. She was a staunch believer in righting the wrong of any injustice, whether it be against her family, a friend, or a stranger. Mimi cared... and she always made sure the we - her family and friends - knew that she cared. She will be missed, yet remembered fondly by many. The gifts she shared will be cherished forever.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday February 1st, 2013 from 6pm – 8pm at Cornerstone Funeral Home located on 1052 South First Street in Nashville, NC. Her funeral service will also be held at Cornerstone at 1:00pm on Saturday February 2nd, 2013.. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, and any donations you may wish to make in her honor can be sent to the American Syringomyelia Alliance Project (ASAP), PO Box 1586, Longview, TX 75606.