Edith Booker

BOOKER, Edith Davis, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2013. She was 103 years old. Mrs. Booker was the oldest living graduate of Virginia Union University where she earned a B.A. in 1931. She received her master's degree in 1958 from Columbia University in New York. She was the third of 10 children born to the late Thornton Davis and Adelaide Turner Davis. She was married to the late Sylvester C. Booker Sr., a beloved school principal. Mrs. Booker's professional life consisted of more than 30 years as an English teacher and school librarian. She began her career in Richmond County, Virginia, in 1931 at the Northern Neck Industrial Academy. After taking time off to rear her children, she returned to work in the Richmond City School District. She worked at Blackwell Middle School for 17 years and at Bainbridge Middle School for three years. She retired in June 1974. Mrs. Booker was devoted to her church, her sorority and other community organizations. At Providence Park Baptist Church, she has been a member of the George Crawford Memorial Choir and the Women's Choir; participated in the Senior's Ministry; served as a Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader and Den Mother; and established the church library and became its librarian. She was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Upsilon Omega Chapter. In 2004, she was formally recognized as a Diamond Soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha, having been a member for 75 years. Her involvement in community organizations included The Richmond Retired Teachers, Virginia Teachers Association and the N.E.A., the Northside Civic League, the Pinochle Bugs Social and Civic Club, the Sigma Wives, Providence Art & Savings Club, the N.A.A.C.P., and the Alumni Association of Virginia Union University. Edith was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings, Shirley Davis, Thornton Davis, Purcell Davis, Myron Davis, Leonard Davis, Carlton Davis and Melvin Davis. She is survived by her children, Dr. Sylvester Booker Jr. (Georgia) of Alexandria, Virginia, Ms. Frances Booker of Jonesboro, Georgia, and Dr. C. Edith Booker of Lanham, Maryland; grandchildren, Courtney (Nissa), Kelly, Arrington Bryan and Brandon Davis Booker; great-grandchildren, Dalyn and Aiden Booker; sister, Vernelle Nelson; a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. The family will receive friends at Providence Park Baptist Church, 468 E. Ladies Mile Road on Friday, February 8 from 10 a.m., and where The Alpha Kappa Alpha Ivy Beyond The Wall Service will be held at 10:45 a.m., followed by funeral services at 12 noon. Dr. Jerome C. Ross officiating. Interment Roselawn Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Booker Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Providence Park Baptist Church, 468 E. Ladies Mile Road, Richmond, Va. 23222. Online guest book at www. scottsfuneralhome.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.