Lela P. Davis

1920 -2021

Lela P Davis (née Patterson), the second child of Lawrence and Alva Patterson was born in 1920 in Little Rock Arkansas. She earned a bachelors of arts degree with a double major in French and English from Philander Smith College where she graduated Magna Cun Laude, as a Salutatorian of her class in 1941. She furthered her college career by attending and receiving a masters degree in library science from Chicago State University in 1986.

While in undergraduate school, she joined, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Gamma Alpha chapter. She remained a lifelong member of the sorority and received a 50 year Certificate of Merit in 1993

Lela was a first grade teacher and reading specialist. She spent her teaching career, introducing many a child to the love of reading, including her own children. Prior to her teaching career Lela worked during World War II as a statistical coder for the United States treasury department in Washington DC.

Lela was married twice. After the war, she married Robert E Bradley in 1944. To this union was born one child, Carol, Eloise Bradley. After her marriage to Robert ended, Lela moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she attended Depaul University and met her second husband, Edward B Davis. That union lasted 47 years until his death. To this union her second child was born, Lela, Jeanette Davis

She joined the Park Manor, congregational church you CC Ann was an active member of the church until her death. she was a participant in various clubs, including the September Circle where she served as treasurer from 1986 onward, the golden ages club, where she served a secretary for many years, and is a member of the deaconate and missions boards. She was also a docent at the art institute of Chicago and a volunteer at the La Rabida Children's Hospital for many years.

Lela was a lifelong, avid reader, a characteristic, she is still in both of her daughters. She never left home without a book in her bag or purse. She love to curl up in bed with a good book. Lela was a kind and gentle soul with a good right hook we needed. Lela also walked 2 miles daily, practice yoga and attended exercise class at her church well into her 90s

She leaves behind her two daughters, Carol E Jawor and Lela J Davis, granddaughter, Gina Richardson, great granddaughter, Sloan Richardson